Chris Johnston becomes first Canadian to Elite Series overall title

WADDINGTON, N.Y. - Another first for Canadian Chris Johnston.

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The Peterborough, Ont., native clinched the Elite Series overall title Saturday, becoming the first Canadian to win angler-of-the-year honours. And he did so emphatically, registering the day’s heaviest five-fish bag to qualify for the final round of the circuit’s season-ending event.

In 2020, Johnston became the first Canadian to win an Elite Series title, doing so on the St. Lawrence River, the same body of water as the season-ending event. On Saturday, Johnston moved from fourth in the overall standings into first with 758 points, 24 ahead of American Trey McKinney and 26 in front of his brother, Cory Johnston.

Chris Johnston’s five-fish limit of 29 pounds five ounces moved him from No. 31 to fourth with 73 pounds two ounces. Included was the heaviest fish of the day at six pounds seven ounces.

Cory Johnston, of Cavan, Ont., also qualified for Sunday’s final round. Johnston’s five fish Saturday weighed 24 pounds 14 ounces, moving him into second with 77 pounds five ounces.

American Robert Gee leads with 78 pounds two ounces. It certainly has been a roller-coaster week for Chris Johnston. On Monday, he had to settle for an .