Vintage

 From the Vest of the President      

    Your FRAA board is currently talking with the DEP about possible changes to the regulations governing the management of the Farmington.  At our last meeting with the DEP, they proposed the following possible changes to the current regulations.  I want to stress that these are just proposals and not set in stone.  We are looking for member feedback so feel free to come voice your thoughts at the next meeting on Nov.21st, or contact one of your board members to comment.  

1. The current upper (West Branch) TMA would be expanded to the abutments below Whittemore pool, extending it an addition 1.5 miles (4.5 miles total).

2. A seasonal TMA would be established from the Goodwin Dam downstream to the newly expanded West Branch TMA (Whittemore abutments). It would be catch-and release from 9/1 until opening day, and from opening day until 9/1 a two fish,12 inch limit would be in place. The total distance for this area would be about 3.5 miles.

3. From the Route 219 bridge (lower end of West Branch TMA) downstream to the Route 44 (Satan's Kingdom) bridge there would be a 2 fish, 12" limit. We suggested that that area also be made seasonal TMA like the upper part of the river. This area is about 2.75 miles long.

4. From the Route 44 bridge downstream to the Route 177 bridge (Unionville) would revert back to a 5 fish limit, 9" minimun. This would eliminate the Trophy Trout area from the Rt 44 bridge to the Lower Collinsville Dam, and the lower TMA from the Lower Collinsville Dam to the Rt 4 bridge. This area would be approximately 10 miles in length, with the current lower TMA accounting for about 4 miles of this distance.

Discussions are on-going, and there will be public hearings after the first of the year to allow for public input.  Stay tuned.

Tight lines, Drew B.