QUINNAT SALMON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21143, 29 March 1932, Page 11

QUINNAT SALMON.

SPORT IN CANTERBURY. GOOD RUN ANTICIPATED. A THIRTY-SIX POUNDER. Many business men who are unable to fish for salmon except on Saturday and Sunday are looking to the Easter holidays to be out on the salmon rivers in full force, says a Christchurch paper. There was every prospect of a good run of quinnat during the week-end, and with the rivers in excellent condition many fish should be caught On the previous week-end the Rangitata was in excellent fishing order, and the water was clear. Anglers had a disappointing time. Large numbers of fish were seen, but few caught. Experienced anglers have noticed this year that the salmon are not staying about tho mouths of the rivers as last year, but are making straight upstream. The heaviest fish caught during the week-end was a 36pounder, landed by Mr. J. B. Brown a short distance from the mouth. Little success has been had with the salmon fishing in the Ashburton. The river has been rather low all these weeks and fairly weedy, also the mouth is exceptionally shallow and few quinnat runs have occurred. Good Fighting Fish. One hundred rods were out on the Rakaia during last week-end, but although numbers of salmon were seen in the river only odd fish were secured. Mr. A. Gates caught a 25-pounder which was the heaviest catch last week. For the last two weeks salmon have been running freely in the Rakaia and many have been seen as far as 10 miles from the bridge. Mr. F. Steans explained that for eight years he had fished in the Rakaia and he had never known so many salmon to be in the river. All the quinnat caught are in excellent condition and are good fighters. Unlike the Waimakariri, the Rakaia has no holding waters at the mouth and consequently the fish are passing straight up the stream. Many fish aro being caught above the railway bridge. A Favourite River. The favourite river is the Waimakariri, where many splendid fish are being caught. Every clay the river is full of anglers who are fishing from boats and many quinnat are being taken. Toward the mouth salmon can be seen rising in great numbers, but they are not taking too well to the spoon. The licensed netiers have been obtaining many salmon in their nets. One managed to secure 65 fish for one day's work.

The question has been asked whether salmon affect the trout stock of the rivers. The statement has been made that the present stocks of quinnat ill the Canterbury rivers have had a bad effect on the trout population. It is obvious that the appearance of millions of young quinnat in the tributary streams will have some effect on the growth of the young trout by the additional competition for food. At the same time, these young salmon will afford an addition to the food-supply of big trout. There may be competition between quinnat and "trout for the most suitable spawning-beds; the quinnat may drive away trout from their wonted spawninggrounds just as rainbow trout have been known to drive off brown trout. There is need for direct information on theso points, and it can only be obtained from proper observations.