Chris Johnston in elite company

Pro bass angler Chris Johnston of Otonabee joined elite company in August, becoming just the fourth angler to win the Bassmaster Elite Angler of the Year title in consecutive years, joining the likes of Kevin VanDam, Roland Martin, and the late Guido Hibdon.

The 36-year-old also became just the 13th angler to have won at least two titles in 55 years of BASS-organized tournaments. Johnston reflected on the magnitude of the accomplishment in conversation with Ontario Out of Doors.

OOD: Congratulations! What an accomplishment. You’ve had some time to reflect on winning Angler of the Year for the second time. How does it feel?
CJ: Life has been hectic. I need a week off. It hasn’t really set it. Words cannot explain the feeling. I never expected, at this time in my career, to be mentioned at the same time as those guys (Martin, Van Dam, and Hibdon). It is surreal.

OOD: How does it feel to be a Canadian fishing in the USA? Are there any issues or tension, because of not being American?
CJ: It is crazy the amount of support from Canadians and fellow anglers I receive. They are just loving what we are doing down there. It is very cool to have the support of the country behind you; doing what I love and making a living at it.

It is also very nice to see more Canadians chasing their dreams. We (Chris and fellow Canadian Elite anglers) have been blazing a trail and showing that it can be done. We now have six Canadians on the Elites and many others are fishing the Opens.

Problems? No. We have a lot of fans. I’m sure some would prefer the title remain in America but for the most part it’s been great. Among the competitors there isn’t any tension except everyone’s desire to win.

OOD: You’ve become the face for a new generation to look up to. How does that feel?
CJ: Like I said earlier, it is really cool that I am blazing a trail and getting lots of support. I’m happy to do what I love. I try to do my best.

OOD: You’re still a big fan of the sport. Are there any anglers that you look up to and admire?
CJ: Yeah, there are many anglers I look up to. Some are retired like a KVD (Kevin Van Dam) and others l get to fish against, like Greg Hackney. It is always fun to fish against some of your idols.

OOD: Having just won your second AOY, are you seeking any new goals or titles?
CJ: There is one left that I want. I want to win the Bassmaster Classic. I have to do that before I retire. There’s one trophy left.

OOD: Do you have a message for younger anglers?
CJ: For kids that want to fish as a career, you need time on the water. You can learn a lot online and by watching YouTube, but you need time on the water. It could be from a kayak, canoe, a bass boat or on the bank. Time on the water is very important and that’s how you really improve. Finding fish is something I have always been decent at, and it goes back to time on the water. Knowing when to make key decisions. When to stay or move. When to make changes are all from time on the water.

Originally published in the Nov.-Dec. 2025 issue of Ontario Out of Doors

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