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Great day on the pond: Rec Dept’s 8th fishing derby for adults with developmental disabilities

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Jaimi Buck of Farmington reeled in the first fish during the
Jaimi Buck of Farmington reeled in the first fish during the fishing derby for children and adults with developmental disabilities held Monday morning at Rollo Pond in Abbott Park.

FARMINGTON – There were plenty of fish caught during the Recreation Department’s fishing derby for children and adults with developmental disabilities at Rollo Pond in Abbott Park on the University of Maine at Farmington’s campus.

More than a dozen people participated in the event with many volunteers on hand to help out.

Jaimi Buck of Farmington hooked the first fish with many more fishers quickly catching their own trout or two. Each participant had a limit of two rainbow trout. On Sunday, the Youth Fishing Derby was held. Both derbies were sponsored by Walmart, which provided volunteers, trophies, participant medallions and prizes.

For more than 30 years, the Farmington Recreation Department has held the popular derby events in early July. But increasingly warmer temperatures in Rollo Pond over the years resulted in the department being unable to successfully stock rainbow trout. This has led to the event being postponed until the fall last year.

Organizers decided to permanently move the event to May.

Caitlin Turner of Farmington gets a few tips from Steve Shible, recreation director. Shible is retiring this month after 35 years at the job.
Caitlin Turner of Farmington gets a few tips from Steve Shible, recreation director. Shible, who founded the fishing derbies, is retiring this month after 35 years at the job.
David Tilton of Chesteville, at left, caught a 13-inch, 14 ounce trout during Monday's derby. At right is event volunteer Greg Patterson, manager of the Farmington Walmart, which sponsored the derbies.
David Tilton of Chesteville, at left, caught a 13-inch, 14-ounce rainbow trout during Monday’s derby. At right, is volunteer Greg Patterson, manager of the Farmington Walmart, which sponsored the derbies.
Caitlin Turner of Farmington is surprised that the fish she caught weighed nearly a pound at Monday's derby.
Caitlin Turner of Farmington is surprised that the fish she caught weighed nearly a pound at Monday’s derby.
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9 Comments

  4. Thanks, Steve! Lots of happy kids over the years; glad it will continue!

  7. Thanks for all your work on this event over the years, Steve…happy retirement! Matt, we’re looking forward to your continued leadership on this important event that brings joy to the hearts of so many local community members! So wonderful to see the smiles of people we hold dear…

  9. Congratulations Jaimi you did a great job sorry we missed it this year,

    Steve, Melanie and Amanda

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