Between 500 and 1000 plastic ''salmon'' will be released down the Waikakahi Stream, which runs into the Waitaki River, in a new fundraising venture to benefit the Glenavy community.
Farmer Chris Paul dreamt up the idea, based other areas which sell tickets with numbers corresponding to plastic ducks then release them in rivers, the first home winning a prize.
''But salmon are better for us,'' he said.
''They are also weighted in the bottom, which means they stay floating the right way up.''
Mr Paul sees the event as the start of an annual fundraising venture for the community. This year, proceeds will go to Glenavy School to help reseal its tennis courts.
Mr Paul has bought 3000 plastic fish, which includes some for the future. He has trialled them in the stream which runs through his property.
They arrived in bags with the numbers all mixed up, so they had to be renumbered, sorted into order and placed in trays Mr Paul has made so they do not get mixed up again.
However, he is still trying to find a way to stop them going into the Waitaki River, and being lost to sea, as well as ensure the first one home is captured.
For the first year, he hopes to sell at least 500 of the $5 tickets.
''If we get to a thousand, that will be awesome.''
The first fish home wins its owner $500, but a large number of spot prizes will also be given away.
Tickets are on sale now, but will also be sold next Saturday at Te Maiharoa Rd bridge over the Waikakahi Stream before the fish are launched about 10am.
