Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from Ashes of Years in which Kalkaska author Fred H. Tomkins discusses the history of the National Trout Festival. The reprint was provided courtesy of Kalkaska County librarian Margaret Reed.
 

For a great many years the trout season opened May first, and so it was when we landed in Kalkaska. Le Roy Greenman, long since deceased, and I started a campaign, to close all business in Kalkaska, except eating places, on May first, except when it fell on Saturday.

We soon acquired the name of "The town that closes all business to go fishing." Roy and I had dreamed up a map of the county, made in the form of a large sign board, and erected where the McLean Barber Shop now stands, and it showed all the lakes and streams in the county.

This map, later moved down by the Boardman Pond, was the best piece of advertising for outdoor devotees. In the summer there was always someone studying the map, trying to decide where to fish or hunt. Many commendatory notices were received from other towns.

Finally, the victim of a couple of moves, the effects of the elements and general neglect, it, just like an old soldier, "faded away."

Still many of the Kalkaska citizens were "fish conscious" and in 1933 a handful of us gathered at the Hotel Kalkaska, where the National Trout Festival was born.

Roy Greenman, Warren Vallad, Mrs. Strahan and her brother, Dick Soloman, Forest Root and myself and wife, and others that I cannot now recall, made up those who were present.

Feeble, frail and a veritable seven months baby, it took some careful nursing to rear it to the age of one year. In 1935, it made its first official debut. Peter E. Ummel, of Grand Rapids, was the first King, chosen and crowned by myself.

The Coronation ceremony dragged out a little too long to suit Harold Jors, who had lined up the parade and was waiting at the school grounds for word for the parade to start. He finally sent down a message, "Cut the comedy and hurry up as we are freezing to death."

We have had other cold opening days, but I believe that was the worst ever. When we got up in the morning there were two or three inches of snow on the ground, and it was still there at parade time.

Serving on the committee with me was Stanley Shumsky. He came to the store that morning with the suggestion that we call the whole thing off.

I objected very strongly and told him we just have to go on and carry this through the very best we can.

Stanley agreed, put on his waders and other trout fishing equipment, got a pair of skis and covered the entire parade route, copping the ten dollar prize given for the best entry.

This year, 1964, the 28th festival was held, having been canceled during the war years. For many years, I, with the help of others, trimmed a big trailer for the Queen's float. One year we moved the front half of our furniture stock back and Chum Wells and Alva Noll assisted Cy in building a woodland scene, a running stream, lakes, bear, deer and other denizens of the forest. This window took the prize that year.

Trout fishing was at its height of popularity in the 1930's. Trout were abundant in Kalkaska County. Opening day of trout season brought many people to the county to try their skill in the streams and lakes.

Plans were made in 1932 for a fishing holiday that would in later years become the National Trout Festival.

The fishing holiday was held on May 1, 1933, the opening day of trout season under the old fishing laws, and was attended by approximately 2,000 people.

A parade led by the Kalkaska Municipal Band highlighted the festivities of the day. The parade included floats depicting several phases of the county's wild life and recreational facilities. There were casting contests, foot races and other games. A banquet at the Hotel Kalkaska and street dancing ended the day.

In 1933, the Department of Conservation planted 750,800 fish in the following lakes and streams of Kalkaska County: Abbott Creek, Big Cannon Creek, Boardman River, Big Devil Creek, Failing Creek, Goose Creek, Little Rapid River, North branch of the Boardman River, North branch of the Manistee, N. Selkirk Lake, Palmer Lake, Palmer Creek, Portage Creek, Rainbow Creek, Rainbow Lake, Rapid River, Southwell Lake and Bear Lake.

Blue Lake, East Lake, Island Lake, and Manistee Lake received 600,000 pike and perch fry; 5,000 rainbow fingerlings went into Bear Lake and 14,000 six month old blue gills were planted in Big Bear, Big Wheeler, Cub Lake, Little Blue and Long Lakes.

Although the fish would not be big enough for the 1934 fishing season, it would provide fishing for years to come.

On May 1, 1934, the opening day of trout fishing, six hundred people gathered in the evening to dance at the Hotel Kalkaska. Cars lined Cedar Street and back streets, many bearing license plates from surrounding counties and some out of state plates. An eight-piece orchestra played into the night. The crowd was the largest at 10:30 p.m. when prizes for the day were awarded.

Henry Rice of Torch River Bridge took the prize for registering the first legal limit of trout, having brought in his catch at 8:00 that morning. His catch was fifteen trout that averaged nine inches long. He also won the prize for the "best catch of trout".

Ivor Thornberg, who was in the fishing party with Rice, took second prize for the largest brook trout measuring sixteen inches and weighing two and a quarter pounds.

Mrs. Martha Snay won the prize for the best catch of trout for the lady fishers. She also won the prize for the oldest lady fisher, as she was the only one qualified for this place.

The oldest car coming into town for the festival was a 1915 Ford driven by Robert Thompson. The car was parked in front of the Hotel Kalkaska to verify its longevity. Mr. Thompson not only had the oldest vehicle but also was the first to register from out of town by mail. He was awarded prizes for both contest entries.

The largest fisherman by waistline was Bill Hinds and the prize for the largest lady fisher by waistline went to Mrs. Glenn Raupe.

Ferdinand A. Manglos of Kalkaska, the oldest fisherman at age seventy-eight, caught eight trout.

A prize for the fisherman fishing the greatest number of hours and having the smallest catch went to Village President L.O. Bloomer. He fished eleven hours with no luck. His prize was a choice of a can of sardines from the Hotel Kalkaska or one dollar's worth of trade at Milner's Meat Market.

Four ladies qualified for the best looking lady fisher and by applause the prize was awarded to Mrs. E. D. Kellerman.

Three men qualified for the homeliest man fisher and by applause the prize was awarded to Mherl Darby.

The best catch of a fish shown by a boy or girl under the age of fifteen went to little Benny Hinds who caught two trout on opening day.

Many state daily newspapers picked up the story of the festival in Kalkaska and plans were made to hold another Fishing Holiday in 1935.

In 1935, the National Trout Festival made its first official debut with two days of festivities held on April 30 and May 1. Forty floats made up the parade held on the first day.

The Trout King was crowned in the bandstand where evergreen boughs were arrayed. Mr. Peter Emanuel Ummel of Grand Rapids was chosen to rule the festival. With great ceremony he was put under oath and given a crown. Fred H. Tompkins swore the ruler in, making him repeat the long comic sketch swearing his allegiance to Kalkaska County. King Ummel's throne was a pine stump from the plains of Kalkaska mounted on a trailer and drawn by a car. He took his place on the throne and was driven around the block and up and down main street (Cedar Street) before the parade.

The prize for best float in the parade went to Harold Jors who drove his big garage wrecker drawing a fourteen-foot trout made of canvas and realistically painted by Oliver Peck.

The prize for the funniest float went to S. C. Shumsky who appeared in full fishing regalia but had his feet clad in skiis. Stormy weather had brought some snow showers into the area the day before.

Dr. E. D. Kellerman represented the historic Paul Bunyan, driving a small ox hitched to a two-wheeled cart.

John Jenkins and son were represented with a float made of evergreen boughs, which enclosed a large picture of the Jenkins home. Four horses drove the wagon.

The parade ended at the Boardman River Park (Municipal Park) at the Mill Pond where fly casting contests were held.

In fly casting accuracy, first prize went to Robert Parrish of Petoskey and the second prize to C. L. Johnson, also of Petoskey. Dr. E. D. Kellerman of Kalkaska scored the highest, but he took third place "due to a back lash, which wound the neck of one of the judges".

The first prize for rod casting accuracy went to R. P. Watson. Robert Parrish of Petoskey took second place.

In distance rod casting, Ferdinand J. Snay of Kalkaska won first prize. R. P. Watson took second and G. C. Germound of Petoskey took third place.

The next event of the day was held at the school auditorium and was hosted by the Liar's Club. The Ford Mountaineers from Detroit entertained the crowd with "Good Ol’ Mountain Music" and tall fishing stories were told at intervals during the evening. L. E. Greenman told the best fishing story for the men and Mrs. F. E. Jenkins told the best story for the women.

Dancing took place at the Hotel Kalkaska, which was opened by Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Austin for the fishing holiday.

The second day of the trout festival, May 1, was the opening day of trout season.

A Fisherman's Ball was held that night at what was then known as the "old produce building on main street". Bill Sawyers Orchestra played dance music but the building could not accommodate all of the people who turned out.

Prizes for the fishing contest were awarded at the dance. Earl Guy of Rapid City caught the largest brook trout, 12-1/2 inches.

Mrs. Ben Stimer of Kalkaska caught the largest rainbow trout, 25 inches and weighing 4 pounds, 7 ounces.

The best catch of the day went to Floyd Rodabaugh of Kalkaska. The best catch of the day for women went to Mrs. Gertrude Barber of Rapid City.

For the second year, F. A. Manglos, age seventy-nine, of Kalkaska was awarded the prize for the oldest fisherman. The youngest fisherman was nine year old Billy Hinds. He'd also won the previous year for catching the largest trout for boys under the age of sixteen.

The first legal registered catch went to T. C. Bloomquist of Mancelona. S. D. Carle, of Mishawka, Indiana, received the prize for traveling the longest distance.

By 1936, the trout festival was well advertised throughout the state. Newspaper stories were sent to about two hundred newspapers through the West Michigan Tourist Association.

The National Trout Festival has since been held the last weekend in April with the exception of three years during World War II.