RANGELEY – Fisheries biologist David Boucher was the main speaker at the July meeting of the Rangeley Region Guides’ and Sportsmen’s Association. An overflow crowd listened as he outlined regulation changes for Pond in the River and the Rapid River as proposed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

With the public input process now under way, Boucher’s presentation was not only to inform but to encourage the more than 70 in attendance to share their ideas on how to eliminate what he called the Pond in the River bass factory. Acting on radio telemetry data as well as angler survey data, the department has readied its set of proposed regulation changes, including closing a portion of Pond in the River to fishing in July and August.

Observed spawning areas between Lower Dam and Long Pool would be closed during the pre-spawning period, Sept. 15 to 30. To reduce the competitive interaction between the salmon and trout, they would liberalize harvest regulations on salmon by lowering the length to 12 inches and increasing the bag limit to two salmon as well as eliminating the present catch and release after Aug. 15.

Residents interested in participating in the official hearings on department proposals are advised that although the dates have not been set, one will probably be held in the near future in Rangeley.

The seventh annual Outdoor Sporting Heritage Day will be held Tuesday, Aug. 12, beginning at 10 a.m. on the club’s property, Old Skiway Drive in Oquossoc. Palmer’s committee, Carl Dodge, Kirby Holcomb and Russ Brooks, have planned events to take you back to the old days of sporting in this area. Exhibits, vendors and the Boy Scouts food table will also be available for people of all ages. Festivities begin at 10 a.m.

Tickets for the current raffle, two nights and all meals at Lakewood Camps, are on sale at River’s Edge. The winner will be drawn at the end of September.

The under the tent surf and turf dinner prepared by chef Bob Allen will precede the 5:30 p.m. Aug. 21 meeting at the clubhouse on Old Skiway Drive in Oquossoc. Tickets for this annual rain or shine event may be reserved by calling Bob Allen 864-2129 or John Thomas at 864-3560 before Aug. 15.