The Peru Gazette

Cory Johnston

Cory Johnston

Ed Loughran III prior to shoving off at 7 a.m.

Johnston brothers’ mom Anne traveled from Peterborough, Ontario.

Chris Johnston

Chris Johnston and his boys

Chris Johnston learns he’s #2, not #1.

Ed Loughran holds two of Monday’s catch

The Lake Champlain Bassmaster Elite is Loughran’s biggest tournament win.

#3 Robert Gee

Plattsburgh, NY, August 12, 2024 – Ed Loughran III of Richmond, Virginia, was the top finisher in Lake Champlain’s August 8-12 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite fishing tournament. During the tournament’s four fishing days, Loughran landed 80.12 pounds of small and largemouth bass, just one more than second-place finisher Chris Johnston. The one-ounce difference met an additional $65,000. Loughran won $100,000 vs. #2 Chris Johnston $35,000. Third-place finisher Robert Gee ($30,000) brought in 80 pounds 9 ounces, Matt Robertson #4 ($25,000) landed 79 pounds 3 ounces, while Chris Johnson’s brother #5 Cory Johnston ($20,000) landed 78 pounds 9 ounces.  It was a big day for the Johnston family, with several family members, including Chris’ two boys, who traveled from the Toronto, Canada, region.

One hundred one fishermen competed on August 8 and 10. Bad weather forced the cancellation of Friday’s competition. On Sunday, fifty competed, and the ten competed on Monday. The next Bassmaster Elite tournament is only two hours away, in Waddington, NY, on the St. Lawrence River (August 15-18).