As 2025 comes to a close, I’m looking back at my rookie Elite season, and it was definitely a year full of memorable moments. For one thing, it was pretty crazy, especially at the start, getting to fish against all the guys I had watched for many years.
From Brandon Palaniuk to Greg Hackney, it was incredible being on the water with all those guys who have been around a long time. It was super cool to meet them and talk to them.
I always wanted to make it to the Elites, but I never thought it was possible as a Canadian. But as I watched Cory and Chris Johnston do it, I started to realize that it really was possible.
Cooper Gallant lives a half hour from me, and when he qualified, the dream became more realistic. I talked with my parents and let them know there was an actual chance for me to do it, so I devoted two years to the Opens and qualified for the Elites in 2024.
As far as Elite anglers who inspired me, I’d have to say the late Aaron Martens was the one I watched the most. I enjoyed any tournament where he was on camera — especially his 2015 win at Chesapeake Bay.
Of course, I followed the Johnston brothers because I fished against them back home and my dad fished against their dad for many years. It was great seeing them fish the FLW Tour and then come over to B.A.S.S.
The Johnstons congratulated me when I made it to the Elites and Cooper also encouraged me and helped me along the way. I’ve known him since I was a kid and we fished in junior club tournaments against one another.
After a full season on the Elites, I’d say it was pretty much what I expected. I knew I had to catch them all the time because these guys are so good.
Even with that expectation, once you’re there and you see these guys catching them, it gets pretty scary. I tried to not focus on what other people were doing. I just went out and did the best I could do.
I found it was important to try and relax and not worry about who’s catching them. When you worry about what other people do, you get distracted and then you don’t do as well.
When I think about the highlights from my rookie season, the first thing that comes to mind was the first event at the St. Johns River. I was in fifth place after two days, so it was cool having a camera guy in my boat the third day of my Elite debut.
Another top memory for me was when I made the Top 10 at Lake St. Clair. It was amazing to fish the final day, but the best part was hearing Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer read out my stats at the end of Day 3.
I learned a lot of lessons during my rookie Elite season, but the most important one was that I learned to trust myself.
There were a few days when I wasn’t doing well, and I got flustered. But I realized I just had to trust myself and know the bites were going to come.
