FARMINGTON – Noah Duncan, 9, waited patiently for another trout to nibble at his bait Thursday morning.

He had already caught one 10-inch trout from the recently stocked Rollo Pond in Abbott Park on the grounds of the University of Maine at Farmington.

Duncan and three other youngsters were taking part in Farmington Recreation Department’s supervised fishing program. It teaches the basics, including how to cast, the right tackle to use and basic safety, said the program’s Winn Meyer as he helped a young fisherman whose errant line was caught in branches over his head.

As Michael Wallace quickly pulled an 11-inch trout from the water, Director Steve Shible was there to help him with the wriggling fish. He then showed Wallace how to remove the hook, and prepare the fish to take home.

Wallace’s plan for the fish? “Eat him.”

More than 150 rainbow trout ranging from 8- to 14-inches were stocked in the pond Wednesday in preparation for the July 4th Flagg Family Fishing Derby sponsored by the Recreation Department. One brood stock rainbow, a trophy fish significantly larger than the rest, was also released into the pond in preparation for the young fishers who will try their hand early Friday morning for fish and trophies.

Each year, Shible holds the supervised fishing program to help children ages 7 to 10 learn the basics in a sport that often lasts a lifetime.

Duncan was there to increase his knowledge as he “fishes a lot with his grandfather,” he said. Grandfather Jim Duncan stood behind him Thursday as his grandson enjoyed the first chance to bring in those trout.

“We’ll be here for the derby tomorrow, but it will be shoulder-to-shoulder,” Duncan said of children who will fill the 42 designated derby spots.

The July 4 derby, named last year after Paul Flagg and his family in recognition of their participation, has become a popular holiday event. It begins at 8 a.m. Friday.

“People are here when we get here at 6:30 a.m.,” Shible said, “waiting to register and get one of the spots outlined around the pond.”

Once a child reaches the pond’s daily bag limit of two fish, another child will step up to secure the spot during the one-hour derby. After the derby, older fishers can try their luck catching the remaining fish.

Duncan’s father, Josh DeMillo who is a glass-blower, and Ben Winn, have created a blown-glass trophy to honor the derby’s best fisher, Shible said, rushing to help Brady Zacker, 8, of Maryland, reel in a 12½-inch trout.