FARMINGTON – The 6th Annual Fishing Derby for Adults with Developmental Disabilities will take place on Friday, Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to noon at Rollo Pond in the University of Maine at Farmington’s Abbott Park.
The free event hosted by the Farmington Recreation Department was postponed from July 3 because the pond was too warm for the more than 210 rainbow and brown trout at 8 inches or longer that were to be released into the pond just prior to the derby.
Eligible participants will be adults with developmental disabilities that will be accompanied by either a family member or supervisor from a local support agency. Agency supervisors may not exceed a ratio of three consumers to one staff member.
The event is limited to the first 36 people who register and there is a bag limit of two rainbow trout or brook trout. Four trophies will be awarded to lucky entrants for their various catch weight and time limit successes.
If a limit is caught by a participant, that space may be vacated for another person waiting to try their luck. This does not mean everyone is guaranteed a space for the derby. Anyone not able to participate in the derby will have the opportunity to fish Rollo Pond after the Farmington derby concludes.
Anyone wishing to enter the derby needs to contact the Farmington Recreation Department office by calling 778-3464 by the end of the work day on Monday, Sept. 22. Calls may be placed and registration information left on our answer machine day or night. Please leave the participant’s name, telephone number, town of residence, agency affiliation (if any) and derby assistant’s name.
The Recreation Department will not be able to furnish fishing equipment, however The Life Enrichment Advancing People program has generously planned on providing a limited number of fishing poles to those who need one.
Due to the expected turnout, fly rods cannot be accommodated. Bait, such as worms, night crawlers or lures is also the responsibility of the participant. For more information please contact the office of the Farmington Recreation Department at 778-3464.
