Vicky has fished in the past but this was her first attempt at salmon fishing and the biggest fish she has ever caught “by far,” she said.
She reeled in the 8.10kg, 810mm salmon with the help of her husband Nico Van Der Zwet, an experienced fisherman, and 10-year-old grandson Jake.
Said Vicky: “This one took about five minutes and my husband was there to tell me what to do.
“It was quite tiring. Definitely, it’s not easy because you’re not fishing with a huge rod but it was exciting.”
She caught the fish about 8pm in the lagoon near the Rakaia River mouth on Saturday and Vicky also caught a small trout earlier that day.
Vicky said the fish will be sent away to be smoked and she is looking forward to eating and sharing it with others.
“We love salmon. We get it smoked into vaccum-packed bags. We’re going to give some away,” she said.
There have been a few salmon sighted in the lower Rakaia River recently and this is said to be promising for the rest of the season.
The salmon season runs until March next year, and anglers are allowed to catch one fish a day.
