The History of the Fishing Derby

To recount the history of the Skeleton Lake Fishing Derby, I have to start at Wilson’s Lodge some 70 years ago.  Back then, the Lodge was a going concern, serving three meals a day, each with two sittings. Every day, six meals were prepared on a large wood stove and each one came with homemade bread and pies.  When I was about 7, my very important job was to walk among the Lodge's back cabins ringing a great big cowbell to summon guests to the dining room. That's how I met a man who vacationed at the lodge each summer whom I came to know as Mr. Clark, a true American in all the best ways. Later I learned his first name was John, but kids in those days didn’t use first names for grown-ups.

As a child, I remember Mr. Clark as a large man, tall and heavy-set with a deep voice.  In fact, he was a gentle, soft-spoken "shorter" man and a good story teller who always smoked White Owl cigars.  He reminded me of Colonel Sanders!  He was well-known by many in and around Wilson's Bay.  I remember that he stayed in a cabin behind the main lodge that couldn't have been more than 10 feet by 12 feet. As a cousin to Lou Wilson (Bill and May's mother) he was afforded the opportunity to stay in the smallest cabin.

In 1948, John had sold his land to his daughter, Jean Hohwart, and her husband who built the well-known white cottage in the bay behind Devil’s Face. The bay is now known as Hohwart’s Bay but I knew it as Fraser’s Bay. John’s father-in-law was one of the lake's first cottagers and now the white cottage is owned by John’s granddaughter and husband and enjoyed by their children and grandchildren.

John was an avid bass fisherman and “his bay” was the perfect bass-fishing location. He pulled out plenty of fish from that bay!  I was also an avid bass fisherman at a young age and would sneak into his bay to wet a line.  Somehow, Mr. Clark always knew I had been there because the next time I would visit the Lodge, he would bellow out, “Tommy. I know you were fishing in my bay!” I never knew how he found out as I thought he was always at the lodge. Sadly Mr. Clark passed away in 1971 at the age of 92.

John Clark with his catch ... and famous cigar

So why the memories of Mr Clark?  
My father, Bob Davidson, President of the Skeleton Lake Association in the 1970s received a donation on behalf of the Clark family in memory of John. Dad was also an avid fisherman who hosted an annual fish fry for the cottagers in Davidson's Bay! Dad knew Mr. Clark’s love of fishing so the money was put towards an Annual John Clark Memorial Fishing Tournament along with trophies.  The first trophies were for the largest trout, bass and pickerel and the winners were always awarded at the annual association meeting that took place on the top floor of Insley’s Marina the first weekend of August.

Bob Davidson

Over time my Dad passed on the running of the derby to me and I continued the tradition for many years.  Now Tony Shevsky, along with the support of Skeleton Lake Marina, has taken the reigns and does a fantastic job making it a great time for all.

Tony Shevsky presents Anglers of the Year to Ben and Jack Davidson (Tom's grandchildren) at the annual Fishing Derby Breakfast hosted by Skeleton Lake Marina, 2024.

One tradition that has not changed is that we continue to present trophies rather than medals or ribbons. They now sit along many cottage walls and stand the test of time.

The three original trophies have grown. First with a 12-and-under youth trophy; then members wanted an 8-and-under category so the younger kids would have a better chance; next because only boys were winning, a girls category was formed; and finally, a women’s trophy was added.  One of the oddest trophies was for whitefish.  One day I received a call saying a three pound whitefish had been entered but there was no trophy. I rushed out, had one made and presented it.  I later talked to the lad who had won and asked him where he caught it and on what bait. He told me he had no idea as it just washed up on shore so he entered it.  I don’t think there has been another whitefish entered ever since!

Note:  You can read more about Mr Clark's and Tom's long family histories on the lake in The Bones of Skeleton Lake!