2026 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River Day 1: Tucker Smith Leads 27-05lbs!

Canadians: Kung 4th, Cory Johnston 14th, Gustafson 25th, Gallant 26th & Chris Johnston 30th

Alabama pro Tucker Smith has taken the lead on Day 1 of the 2026 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River with a total of 27 pounds, 5 ounces. (Photo: Seigo Saito/ BASS)

BASS Press Release

CLAYTON, N.Y. — The waves out on Lake Ontario were taller than Tucker Smith at times on Day 1 of the 2026 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River, but the second-year pro from Alabama was up for the challenge.

The defending Rookie of the Year caught a five-bass limit of smallmouth weighing 27 pounds, 5 ounces to claim the lead, just an ounce ahead of California’s Bryant Smith.  All that damage was done within a two-hour span early in the morning. 

“Whenever the wind blows, it pushes bait through my area. I think the weather and wind really helped the bite,” Tucker said. “I’ve had a few rough tournaments this year, but I think God was trying to humble me. It seemed like last year I couldn’t do anything wrong. This year, it’s been good and then really bad. It would be nice to end the season on a good note.”

Despite the giant waves and gusty winds that made navigation difficult and fishing almost impossible in some areas, it was a monumental day across Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River. To crack the Top 25, Jeff Gustafson needed 25 pounds while 90 of the 98 anglers brought back limits weighing 20 pounds or better. 

If 50 cut was today, an angler would need 23-7 to move on to the next day. 

2026 Mountain Dew Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Day 1: Lowen Grabs Early Lead with 17-14lbs

Canadians Gustafson 42th, Chris Johnston 51st, Cory Johnston 61st, Gallant 100th & Kung 101st

Indiana's Bill Lowen has taken the lead on Day 1 of the Mountain Dew Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway with a total of 17 pounds, 14 ounces. (Photo: Seigo Saito/ BASS)

Bass Press Release

COLUMBUS, Miss. — Bill Lowen may not have the full picture in sight, but the Brookville, Ind., pro found enough clarity to sack up a 5-bass limit of 17 pounds, 14 ounces and lead Day 1 of the Mountain Dew Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.

Holding a 2-ounce lead over Randy Howell, Lowen said this week’s fishery, aka the “Tenn-Tom,” fits squarely in his wheelhouse.

“I don’t know if I figured it out; I’ve never been here before,” Lowen said. “The first day of practice, I just (randomly selected an area) and just fished where I know the fish are going to.

“My first three spots I fished in practice, I had a lot of bites. I went to two of those today and caught what I caught. I didn’t feel like I needed to go to the other stuff because I didn’t want to burn any just keeper bass.”

Lowen locked up from the local pool and stuck with two main areas where he was able to fish in solitude. He didn’t catch a significant number of fish, but he managed to find glimmers of quality.

“It was a fun day; I love fishing rivers, I love fishing shallow and I’m fishing the way I love to fish,” Lowen said. “I was fortunate to get three of the right bites. It’s not easy to get those big bites.

“The biggest fish I caught in practice was probably not even 3 pounds. So to get three of those bites today, I was pretty surprised.”

Essential to that goal was Lowen’s comfort level. Knowing he’d have to break down a new and sprawling fishery, Lowen put himself in familiar territory.

Nick Trim goes wire-to-wire to win 2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship

Wisconsin's Nick Trim goes wire-to-wire to win the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance with a four-day total of 77 pounds. (Photo: Mark Cisneros/BASS)

 

BASS Press Release

LA CROSSE, Wis. — Nick Trim had high expectations coming into the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at the Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance.

He lives, after all, in nearby Galesville, Wis., only a 20-mile drive from the La Crosse Municipal Harbor, site of tournament weigh-ins this week. He’s fished this stretch of the river a few thousand times in his 42 years and that’s given him insight here that few other anglers at any level can rival.  

And still, being favored to win on your home water is completely different than actually going out and doing it.

Trim shined under pressure, though, catching a total of 20 bass for a four-day weight of 77 pounds that earned him the win in this tournament that featured some 500 competitors from 48 states and seven foreign countries. Trim picked up a $50,000 cash prize, too, part of a total purse of more than $223,000 split among the top anglers this week, and he also won paid entry into the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series in 2026.

Finally, as one of the Top 3 anglers in the Nation Championship, Trim locked up a berth in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held in Knoxville, Tenn., on the Tennessee River March 13-15.

It was a lot to process, both mentally and emotionally, Trim said, shortly after holding aloft the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the victorious boater in this prestigious tournament. The trophy is named, of course, for the only angler in history to qualify for, and win, a Bassmaster Classic following a victory in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

“Today is just super special,” Trim said. “I had friends on the water and a big crowd to support me. Doing it on my home water was amazing. It’s not all set in yet — the Elite Series, the Classic.  

Local favorite Nick Trim widens lead in 2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship

Wisconsin's Nick Trim maintains the lead on Day 2 of the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance with a total of 40 pounds. (Photo: Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.)

BASS Press Release

LA CROSSE, Wis. — After catching 21 pounds on Day 1 of the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance, local angling ace Nick Trim said he felt the tournament was his to lose.  

A day later, Trim said his confidence is even higher, which can’t be good news for those remaining in the championship field here in southwest Wisconsin.

Trim, a 42-year-old resident of Galesville, Wis., (about 20 miles from the weigh-in site at La Crosse Municipal Harbor) followed Wednesday’s 21-pound limit with five more largemouth bass weighing 19 pounds, giving him an even 40 pounds heading into the second half of the tournament.

“Everything went well again today,” Trim said. “I think I’ve been spending too much time in my starting areas, so I’m hoping to make some quicker decisions and move a little faster. I have a school that really hasn’t been messed with, and I’ve got one that’s had a lot of pressure from other guys. I think that second school can carry me through this tournament, and I’ll probably go look for some big brown fish, try to catch a smallmouth like the 6-pounder I caught yesterday. I lost one today that wasn’t quite as big, but it might have been 5 1/2 pounds.”

“That’s the plan,” he continued. “That and try not hit any wing dams.”

Clipping a wing dam with his boat was about the only thing that went awry for Trim on Thursday. He was atop the West Channel of the river and the collision took half the skeg from his boat and jammed it through the boat prop.

The boat yard was Trim’s first stop after leaving the stage on Day 2.

“I run (past) that wing dam probably 150 times a year (and no problems),” he said. “I didn’t hit it hard … but I just want to make sure everything is OK. I was on the way back in today. I can’t break down out here, obviously.”

Steve Lopez Wins 2025 the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on the Mississippi River.

Fishing a few hours from the house, Steve Lopez got it done with his whole family on hand. Photo by Rob Matsuura

By Jody White

Initiations Press Release

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Heading into the event, Steve Lopez was a firm tournament favorite in the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on the Mississippi River. Sunday, with his third bag over 16 pounds of the event, the Wisconsin pro delivered, winning his first event with MLF and earning $100,000 and REDCREST qualification in the process.

Lopez tallied 16-2 on Day 1, 16-3 on Day 2 and then 16-10 on the final day for a 48-15 total. It was enough to move him up from fourth place, as leaders Banks Shaw and Alex Davis both faltered on the final day. Lopez finished 1-5 clear of Shaw, who finished his stupendous season with yet another top five.

Pool 7 pays out again for Lopez

Back in 2023, Lopez finished runner-up in the Invitationals event on the Mississippi River. He ran a remarkably similar game plan then, mostly plying a wacky rig on eelgrass holes and edges (which was also how Matt Stefan won the event). So, what MLFNOW! viewers saw on Day 3 looked pretty familiar, but it was not the original plan.

“In practice, they were really eating the frog. I found some fish that were really special,” said Lopez. “I was looking at the weather, and I prepared for the tournament and the weather. The water was supposed to drop, and I had a feeling with the wind and the weather I had to figure out something other than that.

“I felt 50 pounds would have a shot to win this tournament,” he added. “I had a plan Day 1 to go out and blast 20 pounds, but after that happened, I thought if I could go out and catch all 3-pounders or 3 1/4-pounders, I could have a shot to win this thing. I know how the river gets on Day 2 – the weights tend to compress – and if you’re consistent on this river, you usually win the tournament.”

While Lopez weighed three frog fish on Day 1, he rapidly and successfully transitioned to eelgrass edges.

Cory Johnston Wins 2024 Humminbird Bassmaster Elite on the St. Lawrence River!

Canadians Chris Johnston 4th

By David A. Brown

BASS Press Release

WADDINGTON, N.Y. —  On a day dimmed by clouds and rain, lightning struck a

second time for Canadian superstar Cory Johnston.

After claiming his first blue trophy at the season’s fourth event at the St. Johns River, the pro from Otonabee, Canada, tallied 102 pounds and claimed the $100,000 top prize at the Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.

“It was a lot of hard work; I put a lot of time into this,” Johnston said. “I’ve said it 100 times, this is my favorite place to come, this is my favorite crowd with all my family and friends, all the Canadian support — and it’s a short drive home.”

After placing fourth on Day 1 with 25 pounds, Day 2 saw Johnston add 27-7 and tie rookie Robert Gee for second. On Semifinal Saturday, Johnston weighed 24-14 and slipped back to second, 13 ounces behind Gee.

With Championship Sunday delivering 24-11, Johnston surged to the top and edged Gee by 1-9. Enhancing his victory, Johnston earned his second entry into the Bassmaster Century Club, which recognizes an angler for catching 100 pounds or more with four days of five-bass limits.

Notably, Johnston was the first angler to earn a Bassmaster Century Club Belt with all smallmouth by weighing a tournament total of 100-5 during the 2022 Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River. He finished second to Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat, but Johnston weighed in before Przekurat and wrote his name in the record book.

2024 U.S. Air Force Stage Five Presented by WIX Filters on Chowan River Group B: Wheeler Blasting Again!

Jacob Wheeler leads Group B by a margin of more than 16 pounds over second place with 18 bass weighing 47-5. Photo by Phoenix Moore. Angler: Jacob Wheeler.

By Tyler Brinks 

BASS PRO TOUR

EDENTON, N.C. — It was more of the same for Group B on the Chowan River at U.S. Air Force Stage Five Presented by WIX Filters, with plenty of bass caught and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Also the same, Jacob Wheeler took a commanding lead after one day of fishing with 18 bass for 47 pounds, 5 ounces.

Wheeler, who’s already won twice this season, has proved he doesn’t have a specific type of fishery on which he shines; in reality, it’s anywhere bass swim. He’s a threat to win any tournament, any time. The Chowan River was a mystery to nearly everyone in the field before this week, and Wheeler appears to have figured it out fairly quickly.

He was in command most of the day and has a lead of more than 16 pounds over Matt Becker, who tallied 13 bass for 30-14, including a 6-7 catch in the second period. That stood as the Berkley Big Bass until Marshall Robinson’s 7-5 midway through the third period.

2023 Acedemy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic Day 1: Jeff Gustafson Leads with 18-08lbs!

Canadians Cory Johnston 5th, Chris Johnston 7th & Cooper Gallant 48th

By Brain Brasher 
BASSMASTER PRESS RELEASE

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Jeff Gustafson’s motto during the opening round of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota seemed to be, “Why make it complicated?” The fifth-year Bassmaster Elite Series angler from Kenora, Ontario, Canada, took the lead Friday in the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing on the Tennessee River — and instead of starting over or trying to reinvent something, he caught his bass the same way he did when he won a regular-season Elite Series event on this same venue back in 2021.

Fishing the same canal that connects Fort Loudoun Reservoir and Tellico Lake where he parked himself during that 2021 event, the 40-year-old pro caught a five-bass limit of smallmouth that weighed 18 pounds, 8 ounces and positioned himself for a run at a spot in pro fishing history.

“There’s just something about this place,” he said. “I’m jiving with it, and it’s worked so far. The technique I’m doing is one of my favorites. It’s a technique that I feel like I’m probably pretty good at compared to the rest of the field.
“You don’t get that opportunity at most of the venues we go to, but here it works.”
During his 2021 victory, Gustafson used a tactic referred to as “moping” that involves identifying smallmouth on forward-facing sonar — he uses Humminbird MEGA Live technology — and dangling a bait just within their strike zone. He did the same thing on Friday and expanded the areas where it will work.

“There’s a lot of fish in those same spots as 2021, but they’ve just been fished so hard that they’re really hard to catch,” he said. “The bites are real nippy and they look at it and they’re lazy.

Spence Shuffield Wins 2022 Title Championship!

By Sean Ostruszka Tackle Warehouse Pro Curcuit

MASSENA, N.Y. – Spencer Shuffield always knew – he didn’t know when or the rough road of heartbreak and near-misses he’d travel to do it, but he knew one day he’d get that major victory.

Today, that knowing finally became reality. Shuffield is the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury champion.

The Arkansas pro brought in 22 pounds, 12 ounces to take home the TITLE belt and $200,000. But that hardly tells the whole story, because in doing so, he not only bested the other nine anglers in the Championship Round. He battled and beat a lifetime of nemeses, from Mother Nature to the snake-bitten curse he’s seemingly carried since reviving his career only a few years back.

“I knew I was going to do it,” Shuffield said of his win. “I didn’t know when or how hard I was going to have to work to do it, but when you set your mind to something, you’re going to accomplish it, and I did.

“I really thought (the 2020 Tackle Warehouse TITLE) at Sturgeon Bay was the one. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t my time, but it was today.”

Shuffield admits he got a feeling it could happen while launching this morning.

TOP 10 BELOW

2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Tour St. Lawrence River Day 1: John Cox Smacks 24-12Lbs for slim lead!

Cox continues stellar year, Cifuentes ounces behind.
(Photo: MLF)

TACKLE WAREHOUSE PRO CIRCUIT

Press Release

Catching 24 pounds, 12 ounces of smallmouth in a day is a big deal. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime bag for most. The type of bag that should’ve put distance between John Cox and the rest of the field by a decent margin.

It didn’t. Not even a little. Welcome to the St. Lawrence River.

While Lake Ontario often steals the show for tournaments in the area, Day 1 of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Bad Boy Mowers event showed that the river is hardly a slouch in terms of quality.

Aaron Britt cracked 20 pounds on the nose and didn’t make the Top 10 (he’s in 14th). And Todd Walters’ 18-pound bag squeaked him into the top 30.

So, circling back to Cox, yes, he had an incredible day; the best day of smallmouth fishing he says he’s ever had. However, it’s just a day here, and he knows it, especially since it was so unexpected.

“It’s crazy,” Cox said. “Both days of practice, I was like, ‘This is the worst practice I’ve ever had.’ Day two was so bad I loaded up at noon, went back to the hotel, took a nap, and then came back out at 5 and got a couple more bites.

“I don’t know why today was so different. I really just wanted to catch five because you don’t want to not catch five at this place. And I caught seven and they were just all big ones.”

If this story from Cox sounds familiar, it should. The man rarely has good practices and often finds things on the fly. Yet, it’s a pattern that routinely works for him, which should worry the rest of the field.

Dreams come true for Japanese Aoki with Douglas Lake win!

Finesse bite key to win for Japanese pro

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Aoki claims his 1st BASS Open by 1 ounce. 
(Photo: BASS)

Daisuke Aoki has claimed numerous accolades in his homeland, but the Japanese standout secured his grandest objective Saturday by topping a stout field at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Southern Open on Douglas Lake with a three-day total of 43 pounds, 13 ounces. 

Hailing from Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi, Japan, Aoki kept himself in contention all week. He placed fourth on Day 1 with 15-13 and held that position a day later with a second-round limit of 13-5. On Championship Saturday, Aoki added 14-11 and edged Bassmaster Elite Drew Benton by an ounce.

With an impressive resume including the 2015 Japan Bass Top 50 Angler of the Year and the Basser Allstar Classic title, also 2015, Aoki has had his sights set on the sport’s most prestigious event. 

“The Bassmaster Classic is my dream,” Aoki said as he removed his sunglasses and wiped his eyes. “This is a dream come true.”

Along with his $51,833 first-place prize, Aoki earned a spot in the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk on Lake Hartwell. He achieved his long-awaited dream by applying techniques he commonly uses back home.

“Every day, I study American bass fishing,” Aoki said. “Fishing on Douglas Lake is very similar to Japanese finesse fishing.”

Aoki spent all of his time in about 5 feet of water, where he targeted prespawn and spawning fish with wacky rigs. He fished a pink DStyle finesse worm unweighted on a Hayabusa hook and a green pumpkin/blue flake Yamamoto Senko on a 1/16-ounce wacky jig.

“I used the Senko for bed fish,” Aoki said. “I used (rapid rod twitches) to swim the bait across the bottom.

“I used the 4-inch Senko when I could not see a bed. When I could see a bed, I used the 3-inch Senko.”

Aoki said he used the unweighted wacky rig to cover water between likely bedding areas. He fished this bait higher in the water column.

“It was cast, cast, cast — many spots,” Aoki said of his thorough coverage strategy.

2020 MLF Heavy Hitters Day 2: Skeet Reese Takes Lead in Qualifying Round, Group B

Skeet works quick to take lead.

By Tyler Brinks 

MLF Press Release

Skeet turned a poor first period to lead in quick order.
(Photo: MLF)

For much of the day Monday, the action on Day 2 of Toyota Heavy Hitters Presented by Venmo on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes seemed slower the first day of competition just 24 hours earlier. But there was still plenty of excitement, including three anglers battling it out for the lead, a lightning-related weather delay and the first 9-pound bass of the week.

Instead of one angler running away with the lead like Zack Birge in Group A, the weights are much tighter in Group B, and it’s setting up to be a close race when the 40 anglers in the group return to action on Wednesday.

After the one-hour weather delay, the group returned with 20 minutes left to fish. Skeet Reese, Mark Rose, and David Walker all traded blows with last-minute catches, but Reese held on to win the round. Both Rose and Walker are one just big bite away from taking over the top spot when Group B gets back to work on Wednesday.

Once again, the midday and afternoon bite proved to be the most productive and that’s when the tournament’s biggest bass came as Rose landed a 9-pound, 2-ounce giant late in the day.

If that holds through Group B’s second Qualifying Round on Wednesday, he’ll walk away with $25,000. The big bass prizes increase to $50,000 for the Knockout Round and $100,000 for the Championship Round.

Reese Rides Strong Period 2 to Win the Round

After Period 1, Reese found himself stuck on zero. Then he went on a tear and put over 30 pounds of bass on the scales in one period alone. He ended the day with 12 bass for a day’s best 43-8.

Needless to say, he was happy with his adjustment.

“I had a hunch and an idea and called an audible after Period 1 and it paid off,” Reese said. “This is new territory for me on the Bass Pro Tour since I’ve never led a day. It feels really good.”

Most of his fish came from the same general area and looking ahead he plans to give that spot another shot.

“I think I can go back and catch a few, but it might not be enough to win. But, I think I can duplicate what I’m doing in some other places,” Reese shared.

Edwin Evers Runs Away with REDCREST Championship.

Record year for Evers. 

Before the start of the REDCREST Presented by Venmo, there may have been a debate about who is currently the most feared angler on tour. But now there's no doubt.

It's been a good year for Edwin Evers: Stage Two Champion, Bass Pro Tour Points Champion, and now REDCREST Champion. He took home $300,000 for his win today and can add that to the $193,600 he won during the season; no matter how you look at it, it's been an excellent year.

Today, it was Evers, and then everybody else. His weight total of 85-06 was 15-pounds more than the combined totals of the second and third place anglers.
Edwin Evers was the big story today, and rightfully so.

Evers Dominates
Evers started the Championship Round with a bang and was out in front for nearly every minute today. Greg Hackney made a push towards him during Period 2, but Evers was just getting started and turned it into a runaway victory.

Bryan Thrift Wins 2019 FLW Cup on Lake Hamilton with 38-07lbs!

Schooling bass and determination gave Thrift  the win!
(Photo: FLW)

FLW PRESS RELEASE

Everyone knew it was only a matter of time, and that time is finally now. Bryan Thrift is an FLW Cup champion.

The Shelby, N.C., pro won the 2019 FLW Cup at Lake Hamilton with a three-day total weight of 38 pounds, 7 ounces. 

Winning the Cup is not something Thrift needed to do to prove his greatness. That he’s one of the best ever was already an agreed-upon fact by just about everyone. Winning the Cup just added more separation between him and so many others. At 40 years old, in addition to being a world champion, Thrift is a two-time FLW Tour Angler of the Year, a seven-time Tour-level winner, holds a slew of FLW records and has now earned more than $3 million in his FLW career.

Coming into this week, Thrift was the favorite to win. It just felt like a Bryan Thrift kind of tournament, and it turns out it was. 

August in the South is an incredibly difficult time to fish a multiple-day bass tournament. Bass are stingy, and bites are tough to get. It’s rare to find a school of bass that can hold up for more than a day. Thrift’s style is the perfect tool to attack that type of scenario. He’s mastered the craft of “precision junk-fishing,” whereby he fishes specific targets (usually dozens of them) but chooses from 10 to 15 baits to make the perfect presentation for each target. 

For the most part, that’s how Thrift fished at Hamilton. However, each day, he eventually settled down in Hot Springs Creek and grinded out key bites that pushed his weight ahead of everyone else. Slowing down at the end of the day was a veteran move that Thrift might not have made early on in his career, when he never fished a spot long enough for a cameraman to focus his lens. 

And it obviously worked to perfection. Thrift led from wire to wire, starting with 15-3 on day one and 12-7 on day two. He led Kyle Walters, who roomed with Thrift this week, by 1 pound, 8 ounces coming into the final day, when Thrift wound up as the only angler to catch a double-digit limit. Weighing in 10-13 gave Thrift a 5-pound, 1-ounce winning margin over Walters.

As easy as Thrift can make it look sometimes, this was a grueling tournament. 

“I’m wore slam out,” says Thrift. “I really am. I fished as hard as I ever have in my life today. I’m tired, but I’m feeling good.”

The only time that Thrift really stuck a lot of fish in a hurry was the final morning when he pulled up to his first spot and fish were busting the surface over a 200-yard span.

“Today started out actually pretty good,” he says. “I ran to a place that I knew [Bryan] Schmitt was catching them schooling, and I knew he didn’t make the cut. So I went in there, and sure enough they were schooling like crazy. I caught a limit fairly quickly at probably about 8 or 8:30. It didn’t weigh much; maybe 7 or 7 1/2 pounds. And I’m thinking, ‘Shoot, I’ve got all day to upgrade. This is good. We’re good to go.

2019 BASS Northern Open James River Day 1: Bryan Schmitt Scores 20.04lbs!

Big bass vaults Schmitt to lead.

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Bryan Schmitt knows his way around tidal fisheries, but he welcomed a stroke of good fortune that delivered a five-bass limit of 20 pounds, 4 ounces giving him the Day 1 lead of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open on the James River.

Schmitt’s catch included a 6-10 largemouth that leads the Phoenix Boats Big Bass competition.

“I got one of those crazy, like pure-luck bites today,” the Maryland pro said. “This place has giants, but they’re not biting. I got one of those today and that made all the difference.”

With much of the field running to the Chickahominy River (a fertile James River tributary), Schmitt spent his day in the James. He fished a lot of water but targeted the same habitat scenario.