Congratulations 2015 AOTY Champion Clayman!!!

Congrats Chris!!!  A well deserved honor for someone that fished his ass off this year and shared a wealth of fishing knowledge.  Being my first year of actively participating in the competition, I can now see and appreciate the sacrifices and wear and tear one puts himself through to win AOTY.  Thanks for letting me tag along on some of adventures this year.  It's because of this that I have a renewed love of fishing for freshwater species.  Now that I have Now can I borrow your "Golden Whistle" for awhile?   

I'd also like to thank the other AOTY participants, many of whom I got to fish with and amongst this year, you truly make this competition great.  I enjoyed watching you guys catch big fish as much as catching them myself.  I especially loved being there when Chris caught his Big Mack, Naoaki got his Hail Mary Brown, Tony's epic Striper and Brown trout battles, Frank's Monster Ling at Albion, and everybody else I got to fish with this year.  2015 was great and I look forward to more of the same in 2016.

Bret

Dedication and sacrifice! Takes a lot to win AOTY Congrat's too all that played even a little (like me) Was great to watch the race! Chris, even after helping all that wanted to come fish with you to get on their dream fish, winning too! Deserved. Hope to come on some adventures with you and others this year... Good job everyone

Congrats Chris!  Very much deserved and truly a man among boys!

Well played my friend! Looking forward to fishing with you again in 2016.

Congrats Clayman.Great fisherman.Always willing to share skills with everyone.

Congrats, brother. With  group of fishermen this talented.....thats no small feat!

Chris sure did his homework and fished his ass off with a lot of skill at the same time he was gracious with knowledge and shared his time on the water with others. Well done Clayman!

Thank you everyone for the kind words!  At the beginning of the year, I promised myself I would put in a solid effort for AOTY.  Last year left me with a lot of “darn I should’ve done this” moments when it came to getting big-point fish.  I aimed to remedy those issues this year, and man did it pay off!

Going all-out in AOTY is work.  A LOT of work.  I did a ton of research on new species and lakes.  I drove thousands of miles.  I bought all sorts of species-specific tackle.  I’d go fishing even if I didn’t really want to (it’s rare, but it happens).  Sometimes it didn’t work out…but most times it did.  The journey produced some unforgettable memories and many fishing milestones.  From finally sticking a decent-sized mackinaw in Bucks Lake after several fruitless trips with NoSoupForYou, to stumbling upon a red-hot salmon bite in Shelter Cove with MattSwayze and sticking my first THREE ocean Chinook ever, to seeing the tooth-filled maw of that 40 inch ling emerge from the depths of the Lost Coast, to that amazing 22-striper day on Mendocino…the list goes on.  All amazing memories, and absolutely worth the effort.

Although this was mostly a solo effort for me, I had help along the way.  NoSoupForYou convinced me to keep making those Bucks Lake mackinaw trips even when I was totally over that damn lake.  MattSwayze set me up for success on my ocean salmon and played the critical role of fishing partner/housing provider for all of my AOTY bottomfish on the Lost Coast.  Archie Marx and Bird whispered advice on giant spotted bass (and Adam brought the minnows, thanks for that!).  Hydrospider provided awesome hospitality and guidance on his home waters of Clear Lake.  To all of you: thank you so much for helping to shape the adventure that this year has been!  I also gotta hand it to the other AOTY participants, particularly Naoaki and JJQ—you guys are amazing anglers and gave me a run for my money!  Congratulations on your awesome years!

Lastly, I want to thank NCKA, the AOTY committee, and all the sponsors who make this event possible.  Going all-out in AOTY was an amazing experience that I will always remember.  Thank you!

As for 2016: honestly, I’m looking forward to taking a break from looking for “point fish”, and will be pursuing some personal bests this year.  A double-digit mackinaw is on the list, as that’s a fish that I still haven’t figured out.  A 20+ inch smallmouth bass is another one.  And of course, my hunt for my first 30+ inch brown trout will continue.  I’ll be sure to report on what I find.  Thanks again everyone!  NCKA rocks!!

The man in action on home waters

More deserving fisherman, there is none. Congrats sir!

Congrats Chris! whatever you do don't get into diving. I don't want to fall another spot in DOTY 

Antonio

Way to go Chris!!! I know from personal experience the dedication it takes to finish on top, or near the top. It is a ton of work and at times you wonder why the hell am I doing this? Many think it is the prizes you will win. Those really mean nothing compared to the good times the new friends and experiences you have, and of course all the hard work you put in. The true prize in my opinion is just knowing you did your best. Congrats again. I need to come up and fish soon with you.

 I hope 2016 brings that 30" monster brown for ya man!!!

Way to goChris lets link soon!!

Way to go Chris!  You are truly an amazing guy. I do hope 2016 brings you to more personal bests and time to relax and chill and do what you want. Look forward to fishing with you soon. Go get that brown...he is out there!