Nation: Final night in Monroe

A banquet after the Day 3 weigh-in capped off the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

A banquet after the Day 3 weigh-in capped off the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. With the pressure off, everyone could relax, like South Dakota's Jami Fralick and his dad, Monty Fralick.
A banquet after the Day 3 weigh-in capped off the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. With the pressure off, everyone could relax, like South Dakota’s Jami Fralick and his dad, Monty Fralick.
The New York team -- youth director Jim Moore, president Fred Blom and contender Casey Smith -- have a laugh after dinner.
The New York team — youth director Jim Moore, president Fred Blom and contender Casey Smith — have a laugh after dinner.
Paul Sacks of Michigan sneaks in a little Michigan State football before the presentation starts.
Paul Sacks of Michigan sneaks in a little Michigan State football before the presentation starts.
We like to call this Michigan's Team Paul -- incoming president Paul Rambo, youth director Paul Wagner and outgoing president Paul Sacks. We are still looking for evidence that there are other men in Michigan not named Paul ...
We like to call this Michigan’s Team Paul — incoming president Paul Rambo, youth director Paul Wagner and outgoing president Paul Sacks. We are still looking for evidence that there are other men in Michigan not named Paul …
On to the presentations! Matt Roberts of the Missouri B.A.S.S. Nation accepted the award for the biggest bass of the tournament, a 5-pound, 6-ounce largemouth. Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S. Nation youth director, presented the awards.
On to the presentations! Matt Roberts of the Missouri B.A.S.S. Nation accepted the award for the biggest bass of the tournament, a 5-pound, 6-ounce largemouth. Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S. Nation youth director, presented the awards.
The Top 10 anglers were also honored. First up was Chad Shutty, ninth place, from Pennsylvania.
The Top 10 anglers were also honored. First up was Chad Shutty, ninth place, from Pennsylvania.
Mark Pierce from the Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation ended in eighth place.
Mark Pierce from the Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation ended in eighth place.
Preston Frazell of the Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation finished in seventh place.
Preston Frazell of the Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation finished in seventh place.
Billy Lemon of Oklahoma ended in fifth place.
Billy Lemon of Oklahoma ended in fifth place.
Doug Thompson of Arkansas finished in fourth place.
Doug Thompson of Arkansas finished in fourth place.
Jamie Laiche of Louisiana led for two days and ended in second place.
Jamie Laiche of Louisiana led for two days and ended in second place.
Greg Vance of Iowa finished in 13th place overall but won his division, the Northern, and will advance to the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Greg Vance of Iowa finished in 13th place overall but won his division, the Northern, and will advance to the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Levi McNeill, representing the Wyoming B.A.S.S. Nation, ended in 11th overall and won the Western Division. He earned a berth in the Classic.
Levi McNeill, representing the Wyoming B.A.S.S. Nation, ended in 11th overall and won the Western Division. He earned a berth in the Classic.
John Proctor of South Carolina finished in sixth place overall and won the Southern Division's bid to the Classic.
John Proctor of South Carolina finished in sixth place overall and won the Southern Division’s bid to the Classic.
The Canadians -- president Paul Kroisenbrunner and competitor Charles Sim -- are excited about the next announcement ...
The Canadians — president Paul Kroisenbrunner and competitor Charles Sim — are excited about the next announcement …
... which is that Sim will be only the second Canadian ever to compete in the Classic. He finished in 10th place and won the Eastern Division.
… which is that Sim will be only the second Canadian ever to compete in the Classic. He finished in 10th place and won the Eastern Division.
Fabian Rodriguez will represent the Mid-Atlantic Division in the Classic. The Delaware angler finished in third place overall.
Fabian Rodriguez will represent the Mid-Atlantic Division in the Classic. The Delaware angler finished in third place overall.
Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation, called up Paul Mueller, last year's champion, to address the crowd.
Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation, called up Paul Mueller, last year’s champion, to address the crowd.
“It meant a lot to represent the Nation in the Elite Series,” said Mueller.
“It was tough out there,” said Mueller. “Everyone here who is going to the Classic earned it.”
“Once you get a taste of the Classic, you’ll work hard to get back,” he continued.
Mueller handed off the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Trophy to Albert Collins, winner of the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Mueller handed off the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Trophy to Albert Collins, winner of the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
B.A.S.S. Nation Championship winners are invited to compete in the Bassmaster Elite Series. Mueller accepted his invitation last year and just finished his rookie year. Collins just received his invitation and gets some time to think about it.
B.A.S.S. Nation Championship winners are invited to compete in the Bassmaster Elite Series. Mueller accepted his invitation last year and just finished his rookie year. Collins just received his invitation and gets some time to think about it.
Collins has made it to the Classic once before, but it was through the Bassmaster Weekend Series.
Collins has made it to the Classic once before, but it was through the Bassmaster Weekend Series.
Stewart congratulated Collins on his victory and asked him to say a few words.
Stewart congratulated Collins on his victory and asked him to say a few words.
“It’s been a really exciting week,” said Collins. “My hands are so sore, I can hardly hold anything!”
“Last year, just to catch a limit of fish was a struggle. It’s unbelievable that we were able to catch the fish we all caught this year.”
“It’s been great meeting everybody I’ve met this week. I’ve got lifelong buddies who we’ll be friends forever after this.”
Collins caught a limit of bass every day and won the tournament with 44 pounds, 15 ounces.
Collins caught a limit of bass every day and won the tournament with 44 pounds, 15 ounces.
Stewart again congratulated Collins.
Stewart again congratulated Collins.
“Albert is an outstanding fisherman, and he truly loves the B.A.S.S. Nation,” said Stewart. “He was a boat captain for the Junior Bassmaster Championship this summer. Not only does he spend time on the water practicing, but he also gives back.”
Afterward, Collins posed with Dave Ittner of Yamaha ...
Afterward, Collins posed with Dave Ittner of Yamaha …
... and accepted congratulations from person after person who came up to him.
… and accepted congratulations from person after person who came up to him.
Kieron Samkin and Wendy Watson came all the way from South Africa for this tournament ...
Kieron Samkin and Wendy Watson came all the way from South Africa for this tournament …
... while Alec Williams traveled from Namibia and Drew McGrath from Australia.
… while Alec Williams traveled from Namibia and Drew McGrath from Australia.
Emily Hand, coordinator for the B.A.S.S. Nation, college and high school, poses with Javier Mestre-Gonzales, president of the Spain B.A.S.S. Nation.
Emily Hand, coordinator for the B.A.S.S. Nation, college and high school, poses with Javier Mestre-Gonzales, president of the Spain B.A.S.S. Nation.
Sylvia Morris and Rose Jeffries, presidents of Connecticut and Vermont, are not only peers at this event ...
Sylvia Morris and Rose Jeffries, presidents of Connecticut and Vermont, are not only peers at this event …
... but the two are great friends.
… but the two are great friends.
Friendships bloom among people from all over the place at the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. From left are Chip Servant, Massachusetts; Amy Kiefer, Minnesota; Don Barone, Connecticut; Jerry Ramasci, Massachusetts; Dave Ittner, Georgia; and Brenda DeGree, Oregon.
Friendships bloom among people from all over the place at the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. From left are Chip Servant, Massachusetts; Amy Kiefer, Minnesota; Don Barone, Connecticut; Jerry Ramasci, Massachusetts; Dave Ittner, Georgia; and Brenda DeGree, Oregon.
Collins and Mueller are part of an elite club -- two of only a couple dozen people in the world who have won the overall title at the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Collins and Mueller are part of an elite club — two of only a couple dozen people in the world who have won the overall title at the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.