BAD AXE, MI - Located in a small town in Michigan’s thumb, Rapson Sportsman’s Club has been around for decades, but recently needed a bit of help to regain some of its old glory. A new group of members have rallied, and restored, the club’s famous fish frys, and patrons are lining up once again.
MLive reader Darcy Lipskey reached out to share what she loves about the Rapson Sportsman’s Club. “The Rapson Club is located in the little town to the north east of Bad Axe, Michigan,” she said. “If you blink you’re through the town. However, people have been driving from all over for the take-out fish.”
Raymond Peyerk’s grandfather, Elmer, was one of the original members of the club. He and several friends put the club together back in the 1960′s. The club was moved from Helena in 1972 to its current location in Bad Axe. In the early 2000′s, “events were few and far between” Peyerk said. The club needed a “new fresh start, a breath of fresh air.”
The club, which is run by a board of directors, was in a state of disrepair. “It needed a new roof, new bathrooms,” Peyerk said. “It needed to have money, and it needed to host functions to keep it going.” Peyerk had a vision for what the club could be, and agreed to take on the presidency of the board in 2015 in order to make that vision a reality. “I don’t want to take all the credit,” Peyerk said. “It’s definitely a group effort.”
A small group effort, that is. The club only has about 25 regular members. In addition to neighbors and friends helping out at the fish frys, volunteers include, in no particular order: Brad Peyerk, BJ & Shannion Peyerk, Haley Peyerk, Mike Jr. & Marissa Peyerk, Thomas Peyerk, Nicole Hessling, Randy Peyerk, Raymond Peyerk, Marvin Smaglinski, Richard Koroleski, Jerry Kociba, Robert & Arlene Schipinski, Kyle Peyerk, and Kayla McBride.
“I basically asked my neighbors and a whole bunch of my family members to help me keep it going,” Peyerk said. They started doing fish frys, which proved immensely popular. When the first restaurant shut down happened in March of 2020, they “immediately got a drive-thru, take out going,” Peyerk said.
“It’s a really big deal,” Peyerk said of the fish frys at Rapson Sportsman’s Club. “Like two weeks ago we served over 1,200 meals. People drive from Port Sanilac, and Port Huron. They’ll drive an hour away regularly to get fish dinners.”
The club typically serves fish dinners the third Friday of the month starting in September and running through May. Check the Facebook page each week, because if there is another local fish fry planned at a church or hall, they’ll switch the Rapson’s up, so there isn’t any competition between area spots. They also sometimes host an extra fish fry or two each month.
Lipskey concurred. “After the virus shut down in door dining, the group made the decision to continue serving their fish and started a drive-thru,” she said. “People drove from all over to wait in line. Sometimes the line would extend for over a mile. But we waited for that take out.”
The dinners are run entirely by volunteers, and there are usually about 10 people working the fish fry. The club recently bought another large fryer in order to accommodate the demand.
The fish here is Alaskan pollock, that comes with a light dry breading on it. The breading is what sets this fish apart, according to Peyerk. While what goes into the breading is top secret, Peyerk assured us that it is homemade. “It’s not just Drake’s,” he said, referencing a pre-made fish coating that many use. Homemade baked beans, buttery garlic redskin potatoes, coleslaw, noodle salad, and hot fresh baked dinner rolls are also included. “We don’t just open a can and serve it,” Peyerk said proudly. Dinners also come with dessert, either a homemade cake or a cheesecake. Price for all of this awesomeness is just $10, and any money raised is used for needed repairs on the club building.
During ordinary times, the club typically hosts parties, like weddings and birthdays, for both members, guests, and the public. The fish frys are always open to everyone. Several times a year they host special events, like the Fall Harvest Dinner which features smoked meats, and their holiday drive for Toys for Tots.
“The group took very good care of their community during a time no one could really go anywhere and they are still doing it,” said Lipskey.
Fish fry Fridays are all the rage at Rapson Sportsmans's Club in Bad Axe.Courtesy Photo, used with permission.
Frying the fish at Rapson Sportsman's Club in Bad Axe is Brad Peyerk. Behind him, Jerry Kociba dips fish in egg wash, and Bob Schipinski batters the filets. The organization will be adding another fryer to help with the demand for their fried fish.Courtesy Photo, used with permission.
If you go:
Rapson Sportsman’s Club
3155 Minnick Road, Bad Axe, MI 48413
More info: https://www.facebook.com/Rapson-Sportsmans-Club-113364035364417
A fish dinner from Rapson Sportsman's Club in Bad Axe.Courtesy Photo, used with permission.
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