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LAKEPORT, Calif. – In a display of remarkable consistency, Garrett Ellenson of Nine Mile Falls, Washington, outlasted a field of elite anglers to secure the Pro Champion title at the inaugural 2026 WON BASS Winter Open at Clear Lake.
While several competitors made late-stage charges, Ellenson’s ability to find "mega bags" day after day proved to be the winning formula.
He finished the three-day event with a massive total weight of 98.37 pounds, falling just shy of the elusive 100-pound “Century Belt.”
The final day of competition saw a significant shift in conditions. Warmer temperatures compared to the start of the week triggered a massive feeding window, resulting in a total of nine bags exceeding the 30-pound mark.
The leaderboard was a revolving door of leaders as anglers took turns in the “hot seat.”
However, Ellenson shut the door on the competition when he stepped to the scales with a 32.53-pound bag, sealing his victory and taking home a Ranger/Mercury prize package valued at $55,000.
While Ellenson took the top prize, several other pros made waves during the final weigh-in.
Mason McAbee claimed "Heavy Stringer" honors for the final day with a staggering 37.73-pound limit.
Joe Uribe Jr. took home "Big Bass" honors on the final day with a "beast" weighing in at 9.71 pounds.
Local favorites Nathan Phillips and John Pearl rallied with 30-plus pound bags on the final day to secure spots in the top five.
Though the Century Belt remained unclaimed this week, the pro circuit won't have to wait long for another shot at history.
The quest for the belt continues when the WON BASS Cal Open returns to Clear Lake from April 16 to 18.
Craig Nelson is a former professional golfer who fell in love with tournament bass fishing 20 years ago. He found Lake County after fishing an FLW Stren Series event and never left. He’s the back-to-back winner of the Konocti Classic and runner up in the inaugural WON Bass Clear Lake Open.
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- Written by: Craig Nelson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Saturday night solo-vehicle crash on the Hopland Grade sent one person to a trauma center.
The crash was first reported shortly after 7 p.m. on westbound Highway 175 just inside the Lake County line, according to the California Highway Patrol.
First responders arriving on scene, just after 7:30 p.m. reported over the radio that a vehicle was 200 feet down an embankment.
Radio reports said there was just one patient. The CHP said that individual was reported to be out of the vehicle and up on the roadway.
Lakeport Fire transported the crash victim to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, where REACH arrived at around 8:30 p.m. to pick the patient up and fly them to a trauma center.
The CHP said the crash victim suffered major injuries.
Additional information about the crash and its cause was not immediately available.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
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