Desforges leads Canuck pack at Stren Series

Go Canada! Canuck anglers took the top five podium positions on Saturday at the FLW Stren Series bass tournament, and leading the charge was Burlington, Ontario’s Mike Desforges. It’s the second consecutive Stren Series win for Desforges at the 1,000 Islands event on Lake Ontario. The pay-out for his three-day total of 63 pounds 13 ounces? A cool $20,147.

Rounding out the winning Canadian contingent were:

2nd Place: Chris Johnston of Peterborough, Ontario
3rd Place: Rob Laframboise of Sault St. Marie, Ontario
4th Place: Jeff Magee of Yarker, Ontario
5th Place: Derek Strub of Elora, Ontario

Canadians Rob Webster of Janetville, Ontario, and Mike Neilson of Markham, Ontario, grabbed the 7th and 8th place finishes, respectively.

Desforges’ win further cements his growing reputation as perhaps Canada’s top smallmouth bass tournament fisherman. Among his other career highlights:

• 2008 Federation Nation National Contender
• 2008 Top 50 Pike Series Team of the Year
• 2008 FLW Stren Series Champion St-Lawrence River
• 2008 Bassmania Classic Champion
• 2007 Bassmania Casey Cup Champion
• 2006 Canadian Fishing Tour Angler of the Year
• 2006 Canadian Fishing Tour New Ark Open Champion
• 2005 B.A.S.S. Northern Open Points Champion
• 2005 Canadian Fishing Tour S.W.O.B.A. Division Team of the Year
• 2004 Canadian Fishing Tour S.W.O.B.A. Division Team of the Year
• 2003 B.A.S.S. New York Open Champion
• 2003 Northeastern Ontario Bass Association Classic Champion
• 2002 Chevy Mercury Bass Tour Angler of the Year
• 2001 Northeastern Ontario Bass Association Angler of the Year
• 2000 Northeastern Ontario Bass Association Angler of the Year