FARMINGTON — The Farmington Recreation Department’s annual Youth Fishing Derby will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. Sunday, May 17, for children ages 4 to 10.

The derby will be held at the University of Maine at Farmington’s Rollo Pond in Abbott Park and there is a $2 fee per child.

The derby traditionally has been held on the Fourth of July. However, temperatures in the pond last year were too high for the fish and it had to be postponed. The pond water at this time of year is more compatible for the fish.

The pond will be sectioned into 36 equal spaces. Participants are advised to arrive well before the start for best space selection and registration because of the limited number of spots.

Approximately 200 rainbow trout will be released prior to the derby. Most of them will be between 8 and 14 inches long. At least one trophy fish that is significantly larger than the other trout also will be stocked.

Trophies will be awarded in three categories. They are: first rainbow trout caught 8 inches or longer; first child to catch and register two trout; and heaviest fish landed.

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There is a limit of one trophy per child. If any participant should be eligible for more than one trophy, the child can choose which trophy he or she would like to receive. The other trophy will be presented to the next entrant in line.

Safety is the most important part of the derby. Those viewing the derby must remain behind the caution tape at all times. Only one adult may assist a child in the casting area.

Whenever a cast is made, children and adults must first check behind them and to their side to make sure no one is near who could be accidentally hooked. All casts should be directed straight ahead to minimize crossed or tangled lines.

A parent may assist in casting, re-baiting hooks, helping to untangle lines or landing a fish.

Once a fish is caught, it must be recorded by the derby official working in that area. Weights for trophy consideration will be taken only after an entrant has caught two trout, which is the bag limit for both the derby and the day. Bags and ice will be available.

After a child has caught two fish, his or her space will be given to another youth.

Rollo Pond will follow the Maine State S-9 Fishing Code so this temporary recreational opportunity can be enjoyed by the children of Farmington and other special members of the community as long as possible.

For more information, call the Farmington Recreation Department at 207-778-3464.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net


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