As reported by The Fisherman Magazine last week, Captain Greg Debrule of the Niantic-based party boat, the Black Hawk, teamed up with Todd Bobowick of Rowledge Pond Fish Hatchery and tagged a pair of trout which were released in the Farmington River in Connecticut prior to the April 11 opening day of trout season. A reward was placed on the two tagged fish in which the lucky angler or anglers who caught the fish would immediately be paid $1000. However, if the angler was also signed up for the Black Hawk’s newsletter then a bonus of $4000 for grand total of $5000 would be paid out. If the angler catching one of the fish was a child under the age of 12, then they would also have won a season pass aboard the Black Hawk.
Well, low and behold, one of the two fish was in fact caught on opening day! The lucky angler was Richard Pasko of Torrington, CT. Richard is a subscriber to the Black Hawk’s newsletter so got the full pay out!
Captain Greg and his daughter, Heather, spent opening day on the Farmington River spreading the word of the tagged fish, taking pictures and mingling with both local fishermen and merchants who all benefitted from the experience. As Captain Greg said, “Anglers were in a frizzy as the flocked to the area from across the state of Connecticut and beyond!” The event was a huge success which exceeded all expectations.
But don’t think that the excitement is over just because opening day has come and gone. While the cash pay out was only good on April 11, the second tagged fish remains at large and it too carries a reward. If an angler under the age of 12 lands the tagged fish then they will receive a season pass for the Black Hawk. If the angler is above the age of 12 then they will receive a free trip on the Black Hawk as well as some awesome Black Hawk swag.
