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.

2012 Inductees
DAVID POTHIER, 2012 Inductee David Pothier has been an important part of the success of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby for more than two decades. He has assumed many of the roles of operation of the Derby throughout his long tenure on the Derby Committee. David has had a great impact on the Derby as it's Chairman and Vice Chairman and has been instrumental in leading the way to improve the technological aspects of the operation of the tournament. His role in the redesign of our current program has been essential to our efficient management of the weigh station and recording of everyone's catch. For many years, David has been at the center of the set up and tear down of the Weigh Station and Filet Shed and his shop has been ground zero for putting all of the mystery bags together. David has been committed to serving his community and the Island community for as long as anyone can remember. David has had active roles in the Oak Bluffs Fire Department, the Harbor operations and has been on call with the Island's Search and Recovery Squad. David has now placed his efforts in revitalizing the USCG Auxiliary for Martha's Vineyard as its Detachment Leader. His efforts and that of those involved in the Auxiliary are helping to improve boating safety throughout the Island.	NELSON SIGELMAN, 2012 Inductee Nelson was a long-time Derby committee member and instrumental in creating and dramatically improving the souvenir booklet through his writing, the collection of advertisements and the book's visual presentation. This booklet has been improved to the point where it is a cherished and collectible element that helps each participant feel as if they are a part of this unique and classic island tradition. Nelson's annual "Derby Special" insert and two-page spread of the island tide chart for the entire duration of each Derby is saved by nearly everyone. When participants are not reading the water they're reading their Derby tide charts. There are countless many who have volunteered hours of time to help make the Derby what it is today. Nelson is one of the few whose contributions have truly made a difference, placed a stamp on the Derby and made it better than it was when he first got involved.
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.
STEVE AMARAL, 2007 Inductee Steve has been an active member of the Oak Bluffs community for many years. He served for 36 years in the O.B. Fire Department and 23 years as Captain before retiring. He was appointed to the M.V.C. as Representative for the Town of Oak Bluffs during the Commission’s early years. He has been a member of the Rod and Gun Club for many years and has raised a great deal of funding for the Kid’s Trout 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 in 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.
JOHN CREWS John dedicated himself to filleting fish during the derby for over 2 decades. He served as the“Official Filet Master” long before the committee assigned a filet master. “Big John”, as he was known, worked both weigh-ins each day with a broad smile and tireless dedication until he was 87 years old.	JERRY JANSEN Jerry first started fishing the Derby during the second year of its existence. Jerry has been an avid surf fisherman and is well known to many. His great sense of humor and wealth of fishing stories about the Derby are legendary. Jerry’s book “Successful Surf Fishing” has helped many a beginner with helpful tips.
COOPER GILKES Cooper Gilkes has been an active member of the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby Committee for over 2 decades. He was instrumental in the rejuvenation of the Derby in the early 1980’s. He assisted in the successful presentation to purchase the Derby from the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce in the mid 1980’s. His thoughtful opinions were very helpful in the restructuring of the Derby as we entered this most successful portion of our Derby history. Cooper has been synonymous with the Kid’s Derby. His ideas and thoughts led to the creation of today’s mini-derby held on the first Saturday of the tournament. He religiously catches bait prior to the early morning event and, with the help of his wife Lela, has successfully managed this event since its inception.	GREG SKOMAL, 2004 Inductee Greg has been on the Derby Committee for more than a decade and a half. As an official state marine Biologist, Greg was able to guide the Derby with valuable research and insight on various conservation issues and political impact. His research helped us establish minimum fish lengths for all fish in the Derby. His research helped us to reduce the mortality rate of false albacore by establishing a size that reduced the number of False Albacore coming to our scales by more than 50%. Greg is a nationally known speaker for his work on sharks and other species, but has always found time to explain a fin from a scale to local Kindergartners. Greg somehow found time from his very busy work schedule to be treasurer of the organization for many years which included paying the bills, preparing the income tax statements, dealing with our accountant and preparing monthly financial statements for the Board of Directors.
HELEN SCARBOROUGH Helen was a fixture at the weigh-in for many years. She was the weighmaster and keeper of records many years before the scale became digital and computers replaced the pen and paper. She was known as “mother hen”as she kept the busy weigh-in running efficiently and exciting for young and old.	MARTHA SMITH, 2006 Inductee Martha has been the glue at the weigh station, morning and night for more than 15 years. She understands the operation at the weigh station and has handled countless issues each Derby to keep it operating smoothly. She is always on top of things and has been the key figure at the weigh station for many years.
ED LANDERS You’ll never hear a negative word about Eddie. He was a great fisherman and willingly shared his knowledge and techniques with the people who fished with him. Who fished with Ed? Every neighborhood kid that he could fit into his buggy. They all have hilarious stories of their adventures with Ed, they say, from watching him chase skunks down the beach to carrying his catch back to the car at Squibby. He was a great teacher and respected the rules of life and sportsmanship.	ROY LANGLEY, 2006 Inductee Roy is the longest running weighmaster in the history of the Derby. For the last 13 years, he has been the morning weigh master exemplifying the spirit and image of the Derby. He is recognized for his role as the ambassador at the weigh station and the organization and distribution of the Derby’s filet program to senior citizens of Martha’s Vineyard.
DON MOHR This “Beach Ambassador” can be found fishing the beaches of Chappy from April until November. Don epitomizes what the Derby is all about. This sportsman always has a smile and helping hand for his fellow anglers. He has a deep respect for the resources and environment and without hesitation will gently point out a rule, infraction or abuse of these resources. Don served on the Committee from 1984 to 1991. He was our Treasurer from 1985 to 1989 and Chairman from 1989 to 1991. During his tenure as Chairman, the Derby began its transition from the Chamber of Commerce to an independently run event.	JANET MESSINEO, 2005 Inductee Janet Messineo epitomizes the spirit, excitement and camaraderie of the 61 years of the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. She has been an intricate part of the success of the Derby as a committee member, a participant and as an advocate for children and women participants. For many years, she has created the coveted Derby fish mount trophies with her expertise and skill as a taxidermist for award winners. Janet makes friends with all she comes in contact with. She fishes extremely hard and is constantly on the leader board. Her spirit, sportsmanship and commitment to fishing are unmatched among participants.
BOB BOREN Bob was a long standing Derby Committee member who worked hard to support the Derby in many ways, but perhaps he was best known for his respnsibility for handling the Derby’s raffle of a 4x4 Jeep. For years, the committee’s raffle of a Jeep was the main fundraiser supporting the tournament. At all of the summer events on the island and at winter sportsman’s shows around New England, the committee sold tickets and it was Bob who was always at the center of that effort. Bob’s house was often the meeting place after selling tickets. After events like the Tisbury Street Fair, Bob and his wife supplied the refreshments while the committee totaled the night’s effort. Bob and his Derby buddies spent many summer nights selling raffle tickets on the corner of Circuit Avenue in front of Giordano’s in Oak Bluffs, but it was Bob who was always in charge, making new friends and sharing great fishing stories with the public. Bob was a tremendous ambassador for the Derby.	ARTHUR WINTERS, 2004 Inductee Arthur was a member of the Derby Committee from 1981-1992. He was part of the new group of Derby Committee members who traveled about New England trying to create a new image for the Derby. At that time, participation was at a very low point and the image of the tournament outside our island shores was less than honorable. Arthur was part of the first Derby sub group that traveled to sportsman shows in Massachusetts and as far away as New York. He hawked Jeep raffle tickets at those shows and at all of the islands activities for that decade. And it was Arthur and Cooper Gilkes who gathered bait at 3 A.M. before each Kid’s tournament. During that time Arthur was well known as one of the best Bonito and False Albacore fishermen on the Island and got on the Grand Board many times. His 11 pound Bonito was an island record until just a few years ago. Arthur Winters brings humor to all with his involvement during the Derby. On one occasion, he walked into the weigh station carrying a black violin case waiting in line for his turn. As he approached the scale, he opened the case displaying the tournament leading Bonito to a tremendous roar of laughter. That is Arthur Winters.
RUTH MEYER, 2009 Inductee Ruth Meyer was the Chairman of the Derby in the late 70's until 1981. She was the organization’s first female chairman, which should have come as no surprise, as she grew up in a fishing family. Her father owned and operated Larry's Tackle Shop. Ruth ran Larry's for many years after her father and continued the tradition of it being the center of Derby information. Ruth was instrumental in securing big name fishing tackle companies as Derby sponsors. Companies such as Penn and Boston Whaler became a major part of the Derby because of her efforts.	RAY ELLIS Ray Ellis, one of the most renown American artists of our time, has graciously donated his artistic talent to the Derby since 1988. The paintings that he has annually created for the Derby have generated the money to make our scholarship program possible. In addition, he has donated a portion of the proceeds from his book “Fishing the Vineyard.” Through Ray’s efforts, nearly $200,000 has been awarded in scholarships to worthy graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.
STEPHEN MORRIS, 2004 Inductee Stephen Morris has been a member of the Derby Committee for more than 15 years. During the mid 90’s, Stephen was the chairman of the Derby and helped take the Derby to new highs in participation, prizes and activities. Stephen was one of the best Chairmen the Derby has had. His organizational skills, commitment and knowledge of the fishing industry have been his hallmarks. Many of the improved practices used today in the Derby and Awards Ceremonies were suggested by Stephen. Stephen is a well respected local tackle shop owner. Each year, his shop, Dick’s Bait and Tackle, registers the largest number of participants in the Derby. His opinion is respected by the Derby Committee members and his efforts for the Derby this last decade and a half have been impressive.	DANIEL D SHEA, 2005 Inductee For more than 25 years, Dan Shea has been an extremely important part of the success, growth and popularity of the Derby. In the mid seventies, while working as a Manufacturers Representative for the J. D. Keith Agency, Dan was instrumental in obtaining many new sponsors including Zebco which became the Kid’s Day Sponsor for many years. In 1985, Dan and his business partner Joe Nicholas, formed Nicholas-Shea Co., Inc. a rep agency with the Penn Reel Company as their flagship line. Although Penn had been a sponsor prior to this time, their contributions grew exponentially with Dan’s help and dedication to the Derby. For twenty years, Penn Reel Company and many other sponsors that Dan represents have helped make the Derby what it is today. Dan is an accomplished fisherman and a role model in the fishing tackle industry.