PLATTSBURGH — Chris Johnston just missed out on his record second Elite Series win Monday.
Johnston, of Peterborough, Ont., had to settle for an agonizing second at the Series event on Lake Champlain. Johnston's final five-fish limit weighed 19 pounds five ounces, giving him the overall lead at 80 pounds 11 ounces.
That stood until the final competitor, American Ed Loughran III, came to the weigh scale. He needed 16 pounds 14 ounces to move into first and his five-fish limit weighed exactly that, giving Loughran the victory by just one ounce.
Johnston was attempting to become the first Canadian to win two Elite Series events. He was the first to win an event in 2020 on the St. Lawrence River.
Johnston is second in the overall standings with 657 points, 14 behind American leader Justin Hamner heading into the season finale on the St. Lawrence that's scheduled to begin Thursday in Waddington, N.Y.
Johnston began Monday's final round standing third, two pounds eight ounces behind Loughran.
Johnston's brother, Cory, finished fifth at 78 pounds nine ounces. His final limit weighed 18 pounds 13 ounces and included the day's biggest bass at five pounds five ounces.
Cooper Gallant, of Bowmanville, Ont., qualified for the third day of competition and finished 21st with 57 pounds four ounces. Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, Ont., participated in the first two rounds and was 54th with 36 pounds six ounces.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2024.
The Canadian Press
