Our History
The Farmington River Anglers Association was founded in 1977. A key to FRAA beginnings was the assistance of the Hitchcock Chair Company through its then owner John Tarrant Kenney. Out of this period a policy of cooperation rather than confrontation was established as a guiding principle.
In honor of Mr. Kenney’s contributions to the River’s angling population, the FRAA periodically presents the John Tarrant Kenney award for significant contributions to conservation as they affect the Farmington River.
The FRAA was instrumental in establishing a 3 mile Trout Management Area in 1988, and it fought for the established handicapped section in the TMA. Also, the FRAA helped with the land acquisition on the west branch of the River for a salmon rearing station. Next, the FRAA helped to achieve the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System status; which was signed into law on August 26, 1994.
The FRAA was instrumental in the expansion of the West Branch Trout Management Area in the mid-90s and is working actively with the DEP to further expand the TMA and enhance our fishery.
The FRAA again participated in land acquisition. It was the driving force for the 125 acre Shaw-Gates land acquisition bordering the Farmington River to be kept as open space for future generations who can enjoy the fishing and beauty of this River.
Most recently, Sugar Meadow Island located just north of the Pleasant Valley Bridge and Church Pool has been acquired from the Dunbar family who has owned it for 110 years. The FRAA, along with the Farmington River Coordinating Committee (of which the FRAA became a voting member in 2004), the Farmington River Watershed Association, and Larry Kiel, attorney, all participated in the acquisition of this property. The Island has been donated to the Barkhamsted Land Trust for future generations.
Our Mission
Preserve, Protect, and Enhance the Farmington River Fishery
Our mission statement is quite bold, considering the fact that most of our 265 members are anglers. We are not constituted to narrowly pursue our fishing interests. We are heavily involved in the conservation and protection of the Farmington River – a precious resource worth preserving.
We donate both our time and our funds to our River. We are funded by membership dues and activities like banquets and raffles. We give our labor to activities like River clean-ups, trout hatchery improvements, school classroom activities, and habitat improvement. We give our funds for land acquisition to preserve and protect the River; for habitat restoration and preservation on the River; and, most recently to improve the Burlington trout hatchery.
We work closely with the DEEP on matters that pertain to fishing regulations, programs to enhance the quality and survivability of fish species, and enforcement of fishing regulations.
We are also on the Board of Directors, and actively support, the Farmington River Coordinating Committee which is responsible for managing the Farmington River’s fourteen miles of the congressionally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers System. We are members of the Farmington River Watershed Association, the Rivers Alliance of Connecticut, and the CT DEEP’s Fisheries Advisory Council. The club is also member club of the Federation of Fly Fishers.
Many of our members have received formal recognition for their contributions to River activities. Lastly, we work closely with other River based organizations to enhance the footprint of our various projects.
This is the Farmington River Anglers Association