HALL OF FAME

The Derby Hall of Fame was created to recognize individuals and organizations, including government bodies, who have made a "significant and positive impact on the sportfishing community of Martha's Vineyard and on the operation and goals" of the Derby. Inductees must have demonstrated "good sportsmanship, honesty, integrity," and exhibited a concern for fish and the environment. We are extremely proud of these individuals and the significant contributions they have made to the success of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

SERGE de SOMOV Distinguished by his fishing skills, respected as a gentleman, both on and off the beach, Serge de Somov's four derby victories, three consecutively, were unmatched during the first half century of the Derby competition. Known as the "Mad Russian" and "The Count", due to his aristocratic European background, Serge de Somov caught the heaviest shore striped bass to claim victory in 1964, 1965, 1966 and again in 1969. Surrounded by an aura of mystery, Serge de Somov earned his place among the legends of Derby history. He is honored for his fishing accomplishments on dark island beaches where the striper fisherman stand and cast!

KIB BRAMHALL A member of the Derby committee for many years, Kib Bramhall is a conservationist, skilled fisherman and distinguished artist. Kib Bramhall has held both Derby and world fly rod records. Most important, he brings a sense of integrity and fair play to the sport of fishing and the Derby. Respected both for his demeanor and fishing accomplishments, he is honored for the example he has set for others over more than four decades of Derby fishing.

HOWARD LEONARD A founder of the Derby and committee secretary for many years, Howard Leonard was an enthusiastic Derby fisherman and tireless volunteer distinguished by his good humor and kindness. Howard Leonard personified the ideals of the Derby and was unstinting with his time, particularly when it involved the young people of the Island. He is honored for his service to the Derby and the community of Martha's Vineyard.

ED JEROME At the helm of the Derby, Ed Jerome guided the faltering tournament out of perilous waters and helped build it into a successful and respected institution. As the longtime President of the Derby corporation, Ed Jerome has been a thoughtful and patient leader. Whether through the Derby scholarship program or charitable contributions, he has never waivered in his belief that the Derby exists to contribute to the Vineyard community. A fisherman, educator and community leader, he is honored for his extraordinary efforts in making the Derby a truly unique Island institution.

AL BRICKMAN No single individual on Martha's Vineyard had more connections than did Al Brickman in the mid 1940's. This "Father" of the Derby took these ties in the fishing community.., the business and tourism community, the worlds of journalism, public relations, real estate and transportation, combined them with his deep concern for the welfare of the Vineyard, its people and natural resources, and with a singularity of purpose, yet skillfully and patiently, forged the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby into existence. This month long event has, for the following four generations of Islanders and our visitors, dramatically improved the quality of life on Martha's Vineyard.

BENJAMIN MORTON A derby founding member, and Massachusetts Steamship Lines executive, Ben Morton worked tirelessly in both a professional and volunteer capacity to create a Derby that would be enjoyed by Islanders and visitors alike. A member of the Derby committee for more than 20 years, Ben Morton guided the Derby from its creation and joint sponsorship under the boat line and the Martha's Vineyard Rod and Gun Club to its later management by the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. He is honored for his wisdom, foresight and efforts on behalf of the Derby and the entire Vineyard community..

RUTH HUGHES In 1947, Ruth Hughes began her daily reporting of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby for the column she wrote as a reporter for the then New Bedford Standard Times. She chronicled the operations of the day, wrote the names of the daily winners on the derby blackboard, kept a running account of the day's largest fish and recorded for history special occurrences of the day. Ruth was a Derby fixture at the weigh station for 11 years doing just about everything that was needed until 1958 when she assumed the role of Oak Bluffs Town Treasurer until her retirement in 1976. Ruth's accurate written accounts of those early years of the Derby are now housed in our Derby archives and are the only factual consistent accounts of those Derby Years..

ROBERT J. POST Bob Post, self described as a "fisherman trapped in the body of a dentist", was also a gifted journalist, author, Public Health official, Derby member and father, among many other roles. Most importantly, Bob was a connector and chronicler of the living history of the Derby. Happiest when sitting astride a boulder on a Gay Head beach, after fishing into the dawn, conversing with a Jerry Jansen, Kib Bramhall, or another of the fishing denizens of the preceding night, Bob turned these conversations into the critically acclaimed book "Reading the Waters", which, more than any other source, illuminates and brings to life the wonders and mystery of surf fishing the Vineyard and the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. The book, its several never published chapters, hundreds of pages of notes and hours of recordings make up a wealth of research material for the future.

ARNOLD SPOFFORD Arnold Spofford was a member of the Derby Committee for nearly 15 years beginning the the early 1980's. He was well known for his famous Ballastic Missile and Needle Fish Lures. Every year his wife Ellen and he would fill their living room with parts that made up their lures while putting them together. But "Spof" was known best to us for his vision and forward thinking for the Derby's direction. It was Spof who created and wrote the first Souvenir Booklets. His stories captured the essence of this tournament and were matched by his photography. Spof was instrumental in the creation of the Ray Ellis prints we sell each year and the Scholarships we now offer to island graduates. Arnold Spofford truly had an impact on the Derby as we know it today.

CLAYTON HOYLE Clayton Hoyle was a skilled rod maker and was instrumental in the creation of the Martha's Vineyard Rod and Gun Club. Affectionately known as "The Instigator" he always offered his opinions and ideas whether asked or not. Several members of the Rod & Gun Club along with Clayton helped foster the idea of an island fishing tournament that later became the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

RICHARD MORRIS Richard Morris founded Dick's Bait and Tackle in 1969. He loved to fish, but most of all he loved to tell stories about fishing. He never won a prize in the Derby, but many a Derby yarn was spun in his tackle shop about the one that got away by those who congregated there on a regular basis. He enjoyed meeting new people every year and looked forward to each fall knowing the Derby would be starting. The Derby was a major part of his life and he would be very proud to know he was in its Hall of Fame.