Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it – but sail we must. And not drift, nor lie at anchor.
–Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes
Today nine esteemed pros fought the law, and just like in the song, the law won.
Ed Loughran, sidelined just a few weeks ago by kidney stones, saw his Day Three lead decreased from 2 pounds, 2 ounces, to a single ounce. Remaining on the right side of the line was all that mattered, though. As we’ve learned again and again and again, even when big fish are the norm, single ounces can be crucial.
From Championship Monday headquarters, here’s a legal-themed ode to what we saw and heard this week from up north.
Passing the Bar –Every angler in the top ten had his smallest bag of the week today.
If Chris Johnston (2nd, 80-11) or Matt Robertson (4th, 79-3) had brought in their prior “worst” weight again today, they would have surpassed Loughran’s winning weight. Loughran’s Day Four bag was 2-3 less than what he’d weighed on Day One. Robertson fell off yesterday’s pace by 2-11. Robert Gee (3rd, 80-9) was remarkably consistent the past three days, bringing 19-15, 19-13 and 19-12 to the scales.
Mandatory Minimums – The waters calmed down today. Anglers had more water to themselves, more opportunity to run around, and still no one hit 20 pounds today. In three previous days, with a total of 30 fishing days among them, this group hit or exceeded that mark 18 times.
The Law of Diminishing Returns – For the second consecutive year, Matt Robertson weighed in 20 pounds or more the first three days, and then stumbled a bit on Day Four. Last year his 18-12 bag dropped him from 9th to 10th. This year he closed it out with 17-7 and fell from 2nd to 4th.
Community Property – For brothers Chris and Cory Johnston (5th, 78-9), who notably share not only initials and a last name, but also fishing knowledge and winnings, this was each of their 17th top ten finish in regular season Elite Series competition. On six prior occasions, they’ve both made it, including the St. Lawrence River in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The one outlier was the St. Johns River in 2019.
Adverse Possession — It’s not exactly clear how Chris Zaldain (9th, 75-0) got the glide bait he used this week, the one that Aaron Martens coveted on a trip to Japan. One story said they played rock, paper, scissors. Another said that they flipped a coin. My friend Dennis Shew, who was there, remembered it altogether differently. No matter what the truth may be, I’m sure the word “Bro” was bandied about. I have in my office lures that I have begged, borrowed or stolen from the likes of KVD, Rick Clunn, Aaron and others – and of them all, I’m sure that Aaron is the one who would most want his hand-me-downs to be fished.
Federalism – Loughran becomes the third Virginia pro to win an Elite Series tournament, following John Crews, who won on the California Delta in 2010 and the St. Johns River in 2022, and Jacob Powroznik, who won at Toledo Bend in 2014. Powroznik has also won an Open and two postseason events. Former Elite pro Rick Morris won an Open on the James River. The only Virginia pro to win the Classic was Woo Daves, in 2000 in Chicago. Daves also won four Opens-level tournaments at BASS.
Elder Law – The story of the year was the youth movement, but to recall an old saying, sometimes age and treachery will overcome youth and skill. No treachery was involved, but some of the recent tournaments have featured a shift back toward some more seasoned anglers, with Loughran winning this week and Cliff Prince winning at Wheeler. Loughran will turn 54 in in six days, and Prince hit that mark in January. Prince’s runner up, Ray Hanselman, is also on the same side of 50.
With Honors – Loughran was the only angler in the field for whom this was his best Elite Series finish. His prior best was 6th. Matt Robertson tied his prior best, a 4th place finish.
Robert Gee’s Alibi – “I feel like I’m in a dream right now.”
Loughran Avoided a Slip and Fall – “I was just hoping to stay in the top five.”
It’s Battery, Not Assault – I can’t decide if Robert Gee’s belly patting of his smallmouths is creepy, endearing, neither or both.
Would you like to recant your testimony? – Per Trey McKinney, “This lake doesn’t have current but there is current.”
Death Row Meal – We also learned that McKinney likes Chipotle.
Class Action — In addition to Ed Loughran, alumni of Maryland’s Landon School include television paternity revealer Maury Povich.
The Law of Averages – Loughran had two bombs to start the year, but even with those he averaged a 44th place finish in the Elite events he managed to fish. Obviously the win is a huge deal, but I’m sure he’s regretful that he didn’t have a chance to punch his Classic ticket. Perhaps he’ll do so by making it back-to-back wins in the next one.
Three Strikes Laws – Dave Mercer is repeatedly happy to point out that Cory Johnston has twice been given lifetime bans from Canadian hockey leagues for fighting.
Solitary Confinement – Is it colder on one side of the Live studio than on the other? Sooch, sitting alone, is always in a vest while everyone else, even skin-and-bones Ronnie Moore, is in shirtsleeves.
Adjourned.
