By STAFF, Herald Sixty thousand salmon were released from the McKinnons Stream hatchery yesterday. The Salmon Enhancement Trust Spokesperson Phil de Joux said the fish had been raised till they reached the optimum weight of about 65g.

The best salmon season in South Canterbury rivers in 10 years is continuing to provide record catches for anglers. About 70 salmon were caught in the Opihi River on Friday, preceded and followed by catches of 40 on Thursday and Saturday.

By STAFF, Herald Anglers on the south side of the Rangitata River mouth will be grinning from ear to ear with the best salmon season in eight years. So far estimates put the total number of salmon caught at about 450.

By STAFF, Herald Salmon anglers are enjoying a good season, with 173 salmon weighed in on the south side of the Rangitata River mouth since New Year. The number and condition of the fish has raised hopes the fishery is recovering from low catches of previous years.

By STAFF, Herald Didymo has been found in the Rangitata Diversion Race and will soon spread to the Rakaia, Ashburton and Hinds rivers. Biosecurity New Zealand said yesterday there was no point in shutting down the RDR as the algae could already be in the other rivers.