With the salmon fishing season drawing to a close on the Waitaki River, a flurry of activity is expected in the next week.
The Central South Island Fish and Game Council introduced the shortened season in 2006-07 with the aim of giving more fish the chance to spawn to ensure the salmon fishery was sustainable.
It was not a popular move with many anglers, who wanted the April 30 closing day reinstated, and particularly this season when high river levels meant they had not had much of a chance to catch fish, Kurow-based Fish and Game officer Graeme Hughes said.
Mr Hughes was encouraged to hear of good catches last weekend, Waitaki Waters Holiday Park owner Derek Chapple reporting 19 salmon at the camp during the long weekend.
The largest salmon was 9kg.
