FARMINGTON — The Farmington Recreation Department will hold a Farewell to the 2014 Fishing Season Derby on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Rollo Pond.

It is for children ages 3 to 10 and will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on the campus of the University of Maine at Farmington.

Since the pond is measured off into 36 equal spaces, it is advisable to arrive for space selection and registration well before the event. The fee is $2 per child.

The pond will be stocked with about 200 rainbow trout that are about 8 to 14 inches long.

At least one brood stock, or trophy fish, will also be placed in the pond.

Trophies will be awarded in four categories:

* First Trout — Rainbow trout a minimum of 8 inches.

* First Limit — The first child to catch and register two fish.

* Trophy Fish — The heaviest fish, in ounces, landed during the derby.

* Biggest Meal — The combined gross weight, in ounces, of trout caught by one contestant. 

Parents may cast lines for children, rebait hooks, help untangle lines and assist the child in landing a fish, but are asked to see that the child is at least an equal partner in this fishing experience.

Freezer bags and ice will be available to all fishermen. Once a contestant lands two stocked fish he/she is through for the derby and the day.

To accommodate all children who wish to participate in the derby, entrants will be replaced in their designated space by another child once the daily bag limit is reached.

By approximately 10:30 a.m. Saturday, after another brief derby, Rollo Pond will be opened to the rest of the public to fish. The department requests that each person fishing abide by the posted daily bag limit so this temporary recreational opportunity can be enjoyed as long as possible.

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