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Vermont: Pro Angler Wins $100,000 Top Lake Champlain Derby Prize

Bryan Schmitt has a soft spot for the northern Vermont lake

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This post was contributed by a community member.
(Bryan Schmitt Facebook )

By Ted Cohen

Bryan Schmitt won his third blue trophy with a total of 81 pounds, 7 ounces in the Bassmaster Elite tournament on Lake Champlain.

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"Champlain has been good to me," Schmitt said on his Facebook page.

The 11-year pro from Deale, Maryland, "first fished this picturesque natural lake straddling the border of New York and Vermont about a decade ago and immediately felt the connection," reports Sun Community News.

"I got blessed the first time I went here and luckily caught some big fish and that just made me fall in love with it," Schmitt told the paper. "I stumbled into two special spots and I learned right away what to look for, the combination. The success happened quick and it made me fall in love."

"I'm speechless right now," Schmitt said after taking the top spot.

Schmitt had previously won twice at Lake Champlain, with victories in the 2016 Northern Open and the 2021 Bassmaster Elite.

Schmitt reels in $100K Bassmaster Elite Series win on Lake Champlain | Sun Community News

https://share.google/lq6D70lGM3eoxGGDh

Bryan Schmitt Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/share/19FhWZgXE2/

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