FARMINGTON – This Derby is for children ages 3 to 10 and is one hour in length. It starts at 8:00 a.m.
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.
Each contestant must remain within their selected 4 foot space when casting during the derby.
About 200 Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout have been stocked in Rollo Pond, about 8″ to 14″ in length.
There has also been at least one brood stock or Trophy Fish placed into the pond that is
significantly larger than any of the other trout. Trophies will be awarded in four categories during the derby;
First Trout – Rainbow/Brown trout a minimum of 8 inches (Not a chub, sucker or crayfish)
First Limit – The first child to catch and register 2 fish
Trophy Fish – The heaviest fish, in ounces, landed during the derby (length will be used as a tiebreaker if necessary).
Biggest Meal – The combined gross weight in ounces, of trout caught by one contestant (length will be used as a tiebreaker)
**There will be a limit of only 1 trophy to be awarded to any entrant. If more than one is earned, then the winner will have their choice of which trophy they prefer and the next in line entrant up will receive the unselected one(s).
SAFETY FIRST!!
All spectators, especially young children, must remain behind the CAUTION tape throughout the entire derby. Parents assisting younger entrants may accompany their child in their casting space. All children and parents casting are expected to check behind them and to each side before casting toward the pond to ensure that anyone inadvertently walking behind their space does not get hooked by the cast.
Parents may cast lines for children, re-bait hooks, help untangle lines and assist the child in landing a fish, but please try to see that the child is at least an equal partner in this exciting fishing experience. Also, it is expected that all casts will be directed straight ahead of the fisherman and not to either side to minimize crossed and tangled lines. Miscasts do happen and lines will become tangled upon occasion, so please be good sports. If a certain entrant is constantly entangling lines contact the Derby Director to address the problem.
Once a fish is caught it must be recorded by the Derby official working in the child’s area. Only after an entrant has caught his/her limit may the catch be weighed and measured for trophy consideration. Freezer bags and ice will be available to all fisherman.
There is a 2 trout Bag Limit for the day, so once a contestant lands 2 stocked fish he/she is through for not only the Derby, but also for the rest of the day. To accommodate all children who wish to participate in the Derby, you may be replaced in your designated space by another contestant after you have caught your Daily Bag Limit.
By no later than 9:00 a.m. today Rollo Pond will be opened to the rest of the public to fish and we request that each person fishing please abide by the posted DAILY Bag Limit of 2 trout so that this temporary recreational opportunity can be enjoyed by children as long as possible.
Finally, please pick up all worm containers, refreshment bottles and other litter and dispose of it by carrying it out of the park with you when you leave. We are guests of the University for this event and should leave their facility as trash free as we find it. Thank you for your cooperation.
