The canals have become a popular destination for targeting super-sized trout. Against the backdrop of the spectacular Mackenzie Country, it is truly a magical experience. Apart from big trout, salmon are also targeted. These are escapees from the commercial salmon farms and every now and then, a big escape sends ripples of excitement through the angling community.
Dad and I spent a rewarding day soft baiting there recently, which resulted in me catching my PB salmon. There had been an escape, so anticipation was high and success was forefront of the mind. The technique we employed was pretty simple: cast out and retrieve slowly, but it proved deadly. We caught eight salmon between us, with my best putting up a really staunch fight, which lasted a good 20 minutes. It ended up being around 13 pounds and will probably remain my PB for some time.
