What  a season it has been! Just when we thought salmon were on the verge of extinction like the proverbial Phoenix they have risen from the ashes. No matter how you look at it, its been a great season. Whilst a relative handful of very experienced and persistent anglers have taken literally dozens its also been heartening to observe that ‘average’ anglers have had their share also.

No one river has produced better than another with excellent reports from the Clarence to the Waitaki on the eastern side and similarly good catches on the West Coast. The fish are bigger than average and the condition has been excellent.

Visiting anglers have shared in the spoils. Just over a week ago I guided two Wellington anglers onto their first ever salmon. One even took his limit of two one day. Talk about beginners luck!

We can only hope that the improved run will continue for the next few seasons at least. While not equalling the halcyon days of long ago there are plenty of anglers with grins on their faces this season.