H—ls

There were good runs in these rivers, but the runs were not sustained and the season, with the exception of Wellington, was very disappointing. In the South Island, Westland rivers fished very differently this year. Westport and the northern part of the west coast fished very well, but the rivers farther south were progressively more disappointing. South Island east coast rivers, too, did not come up to expectations. Weather, in all probability, had a marked effect. Early in the season the weather was mild and bid well for a good season, but as the season progressed bad weather and melting snows kept the rivers high and cold. The whitebait showed a marked preference this year for swamp-fed streams, rather than those carrying snow-water. Adverse weather, resulting in many rivers carrying snow-water until late in the season, is probably one of the factors responsible for the abnormal distribution of the catch.

Quinnat Salmon, 1946 The table below shows the fishing results as given by licensee's returns :

Although a poor season, there was considerable improvement on the previous season, 1945 (the lowest on record).

31

1 Males. Females, j Sex not given. Total. Returns from Rods Waimakariri River, 25/2/46 to 8/3/46 (1 rod) — Number of fish caught Total weight Average weight .. 2 21 lb. 10-5 lb. 5 51-5 lb. 10-3 lb. 7 72-5 lb. 10-3 lb. Rakaia River, 9/3/46 to 6/4/46 (4 rods) — Number of fish caught Total weight Average weight 28 356 lb. 12-7 lb. 12 176-5 lb. 14-7 lb. 72 1,236 lb. 17-1 lb. 112 1,768-5 lb. 15-7 lb. Ashburton River, 13/3/46 (1 rod) — Number of fish caught Total weight Average weight 1 13 lb. 13 lb. 1 13 lb. 13 lb. Rangitata River, 26/2/46 to 25/3/46 (1 rod) — Number of fish caught .. .. Total weight Average weight 19 254-5 lb. 13-4 lb. 22 307 lb. 13-9 lb. 11 158 lb. 14-3 lb. 52 719-5 lb. 13-8 lb. Opihi River, 28/1/46 to 31/3/46 (1 rod) — Number of fish caught Total weight Average weight 4 52 lb. 13 lb. 6 76 1b. 12-6 lb. 26 314 lb. 12 lb. 36 442 lb. 12-2 lb. Combined rivers, 28/1/46 to 31/3/46 (8 rods) — Number of fish caught Total weight Average weight 52 673-5 lb. 12-9 lb. 46 624 lb. 13-5 lb. 109 1,708 lb. 15-6 lb. 207 3,005-5 lb. 14-5 lb. Returns from Nets Waimakariri River, 21/2/46 to 20/3/46 (2 nets) — Number of fish caught .. .. Total weight Average weight 69 665 lb. 9-6 lb. 48 559-5 lb. 11-6 lb. 117 1,224-5 lb. 10-4 lb.