Johnston brothers standing second, third in final Elite Series tournament of season

WADDINGTON, N.Y. — Canadian brothers Chris and Cory Johnston find themselves in a pretty good spot at the halfway point of the final Elite Series tournament of the year.

Chris Johnston of Peterborough, Ont., is second in the overall standings with 46 pounds, five ounces after Friday’s second round on the St. Lawrence River. He’s just one pound, nine ounces behind leader Bernie Schultz of the U.S. 

Cory Johnston, of Cavan, Ont., is third at 45 pounds, nine ounces.

Jeff Gustafson, of Kenora, Ont., is 35th overall at 35 pounds, seven ounces. By finishing within the top 45 in the 95-angler field, the three Canadians qualified to fish Saturday.

The top 10 after the third round advance to the final day of competition Sunday. The tournament winner earns US$100,000.

Chris Johnston is vying to become the first Canadian to win two Elite Series titles after capturing this event last year.

Gustafson became the second Canadian champion in February when he topped the field on the Tennessee River.

The Johnstons finished the first day tied for second, each with 23 pounds, seven ounces. Chris Johnston’s five fish Friday weighed 22 pounds, 14 ounces while Cory Johnston’s limit came in at 22 pounds, two ounces.

Gustafson opened with 18 pounds, five ounces before adding 17 pounds, two ounces Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2021.

The Canadian Press