Fishing season is here. Skaneateles Lake has spawned a reputation over the years for good fishing particularly the catch of perch and trout. I know little about this sport but I do like a good story. The following is just that, written by Beth Batlle,Town Historian, in ‘ Skinny Tales.’

In the 1880’s, John Smith from New York City made several summer trips to fish in Skaneateles Lake. He was very impressed with this small, deep lake known for its excellent fishing. A successful businessman, with money to invest, he saw an opportunity to lure others to this lake, He purchased land (some say in Mandana), built a hotel with docks, purchased several boats, fishing gear and ran an ad in a New York newspaper hoping to attract fishermen. He even offered to meet customers at the train station and provide transport to his new venture. Alas very few took the bait. After the last summer customer left, Mr Smith went fishing. He saw several large fish and had an idea. He would create a very large fish, leak the story that a prehistoric creature lurked in the deep waters of the lake and‘“let human nature take care of the rest.”Mr. Smith and a hired handyman set about creating a monster from wire and canvas. “ It was about 23 feet long with a beam of four to five feet with a neck and head resembling nothing a modern man had ever seen.” The canvas was waterproofed with coal tar and painted bright colors. Lead weights were applied to the underside to keep the monster upright in the water. Mr Smith came up with a method to propel his creation, to dive and reappear or disappear. The monster was never seen in daylight, only in the semi darkness  of early morning or twilight. Soon stories began to circulate about this strange creature and the curious came. As with all stories the fish grew to 100-150 feet with a head like a snake or whale. No one ever got a close look. Mr.Smith happily operated his successful business for two summers. 

Is  this a fish story? Your guess is as good as mine. However after Mr. Smith died and new owners took over the hotel, a fire destroyed a nearby storehouse. When the charred floorboards were removed, a wire fish skeleton and rotted canvas were found???!!!

Happy Fishing!!