More salmon have been spawning in the Hakataramea River this year, bringing hopes anglers may catch more in the future.
In late May each year, the Central South Island Fish and Game Council sets out to count the fish spawning in the Waitaki and Hakataramea Rivers. This year, the Waitaki count could not be done because water was too dirty, but clear flows in the Hakataramea meant that river's count could go ahead.
Fish and game officer Mark Webb said 271 salmon were counted in the river, the highest since 2000. Within two days of the count, another 100 salmon appeared in the lower 200m of the river where it joins the Waitaki River.
"This indicates a significant late run of salmon," he said, adding it also could mean there was a good run in the Waitaki River.
The council is working to increase salmon numbers in the Waitaki River, to provide a better return for anglers.
This includes enhancing braids attractive to spawning salmon.
Over the past decade, salmon numbers have steadily declined and the council reduced the salmon fishing season by a month - from the end of April to the end of March. The council has decided to continue that this coming season.
Salmon fishing this year was badly affected by flooding in the upper catchment, which saw high and dirty flows in the Waitaki River right through to the end of the season.
