Rakaia's annual salmon fishing competition attracted nearly 500 anglers to the popular three-day event on the Rakaia River.

Competitors had two great days of fishing with fine weather on Friday and Saturday. But Sunday's fishing was called off "when the river came down" with a lot of rain in the headwaters.

Rakaia River Salmon Fishing Competition president Chris Agnew said this year's competition ran well and was "pretty well supported and everyone seemed to have a good time".

He said there were about 380 seniors and 120 juniors fishing the waters for the competition, with 48 salmon weighed in over the two days.

The trout competition was a catch and release photo-based competition with nine trout caught in the junior section.

Agnew did not have the trout figures for the senior competition, but said there weren't many caught.

Richard Crosado was a big winner in the lucky draw taking home a motorbike donated by Rakaia-based Kawasaki dealer Canterbury Motorcycles

Aiden Pye netted in the overall heaviest salmon for the competition weighing in at 3.32kg with Cody Morris landing a 3kg salmon to snap up the junior title.

Agnew thanked the organising committee and sponsors for their hard work and support and said he hoped to see all the competitors - and a lot more - back for the 40th year of the competition next year.

By Sharon Davis