Flaten Goes Back to Back at Catfish Clash

The 8th Annual Missouri River Catfish Clash took place in Williston, N.D., Aug. 18, as 40 boats hit the water on a beautiful sunny day. The Clash never seems to disappoint in terms of the number of catfish caught or the overall size of the fish, and this year was no different. An impressive 19 teams weighed in over 20 pounds. Only once before in the tournament's eight-year history has there been more 20-pound baskets brought to the scales (23 in 2013). To make things more exciting, 35 of the 40 teams weighed in fish and big cats tipped the scales with regularity.

Despite all of the fantastic fishing, there can be only one champion for each event. That title went to seasoned catfish anglers, Brenner Flaten, of Glasgow, and Chad Dawson, of Dickinson, N.D. The team cleared the field by just one-and-one-half pounds with their basket of five cats weighing in at 33.28 lbs. The title marks a back-to-back championship for Flaten, who teamed up with Cole Plouffe to win the 2017 Catfish Clash. It is also a second Clash title for Dawson. Dawson topped the field in 2012 with Lars Sorensen. When asked about their day on the water, Flaten quipped, "It was a bit of a different day from last year. We caught 26 cats on the day, so the action was hot. We had 28 pounds real early but then we had to upgrade four times late into the day. We fished extremely hard and it paid off."

Taking runner up honors was the father-son duo, Josh Marottek, Medicine Lake, and Charles Marottek, Poplar, with 31.67 pounds. The Marotteks are circuit veterans and have really been impressing over the last two seasons. It was just an outstanding day by the two of them.

Another father-son team, James and Luke Bergeron, of Sidney, claimed hardware with a third place finish. Brothers Rod Seder, Billings, and Rob Seder, Hardin, did it again with an impressive fourth-place showing. Local anglers, Jeremy Workman and Brett Colebank, both of Williston, rounded out the top five at just under 30 pounds.

Just as impressive as the top five teams, were the big fish that the Missouri produced once again. Three cats came in at over 10 pounds, and that was led by Austin Bement's 10.49. It was later passed up by Jeremy Workman's 10.97. As impressive as Bement's and Workman's catches were, it wasn't near enough to take big fish honors. That accomplishment went to Kirby Lynch, of Williston, and his 12.39 pig. The giant fish was worth $700 cash and a beautiful plaque for the wall.

As is customary on the circuit, The B'n'M Poles Montana Cats Angler of the Year was also awarded following the conclusion of the Clash award ceremony. For the first time in history, the AOY race was wrapped up prior to the Clash. Jason Flaten, West Wendover, Nev., achieved a new Montana Cats Circuit record with 74 total points. J. Flaten took gold at both the Yellowstone Challenge in Huntley and the Milk River Catfish Classic in Glasgow and finished runner-up at Sidney last month at the Monster Cat Roundup. J. Flaten and Brady Flaten also teamed up for a 19th-place finish this weekend at the Clash. The Association takes an angler's top three of four events to compile end of the year AOY points. J. Flaten is the ninth different angler to either win or share the award in its six-year history. There have been no repeat winners. J. Flaten spoke to the crowd upon receiving the prestigious award. "I want to give credit to my three teammates during the year for this success," he said. "All three are great fisherman and I certainly couldn't have done any of this without them. I was just along for the ride."

As the dust settles on another Montana Cats season we would like to personally thank all of the anglers who competed and made this just another memorable campaign. We also could not put on such efficient, respected events without the help of our sponsors. It is time to give a special shout-out to our  six circuit-level sponsors: Whisker Seeker Tackle, B'n'M Poles, Cat River Anchors, Riverside Marine and Cycle of Miles City, Shelly George with Thrivent Financial, and RS Jet Boat Anchors.

We hope to see everyone in Huntley for the 13th-Annual Yellowstone Challenge on May 11, 2019.

8th-Annual Missouri River Catfish Clash

(Top 20 of 40 Boat Field)

1.  Brenner Flaten, Glasgow, Chad Dawson, Dickinson, N.D.  33.28 lbs.

2.  Josh Marottek, Medicine Lake, Charles Marottek, Poplar, 31.67 lbs. 

3.  James and Luke Bergeron, Sidney, 30.40 lbs. 

4.  Rod Seder, Billings, Rob Seder, Hardin, 29.38 lbs. 

5.  Jeremy Workman and Brett Colebank, Williston, N.D. 29.36 lbs. 

6.  Kirby Lynch and Clint Carnes, Williston, 28.30 lbs. 

7.  Bobby and Robert Wise, Billings, 27.38 lbs. 

8.  Todd Dooley and Becky Lange, Sidney, 27.24 lbs. 

9.  Austin Bement and Bob Bauer, Williston, N.D.  27.07 lbs. 

10.  Troy Cotter and Heather Cotter, Sidney, 26.41 lbs. 

11.  Chad Mueller and Adam Smith, Sidney, 25.27 lbs.

12. James Decker, Sidney, Steve Lowrey, Fairview, 24.40 lbs. 

13.  Chase Rehak and Cory Neer, Williston, N.D. 23.72 lbs. 

14.  Steve and Kelly Linder, Glendive, 23.58 lbs. 

15.  Steve Harris Sr., Sidney, Bill Harris, Sun Prairie, Wis. 23.02 lbs. 

16.  Dan and Amber Achten, Laurel, 23.01 lbs. 

17.  Steve Norcutt and Allan Harrington, Glasgow, 22.01 lbs. 

18.  Steve Harris Jr. and Loren Dempsey, Sidney, 20.66 lbs. 

19.  Brady Flaten, Glasgow, Jason Flaten, West Wendover, Nev., 20.48 lbs.

20. Casey Heller and Jason Arnson, Williston, N.D. 19.75 lbs. 

Final 2018 Montana Cats "Angler of the Year"

Standings (Top 20)

1.  Jason Flaten, West Wendover, Nev., 74 Pts. 

2. Brenner Flaten, Glasgow,  67 Pts. 

3. (tie) Willy Lauckner, Nashua; Chris Kolstad, Williston, N.D., 54 Pts.  

5. (tie) Bobby Wise, Billings; Robert Wise, Billings, 53 Pts.

7. Brady Flaten, Glasgow, 51 Pts. 

8. (tie) Rod Seder, Billings; Rob Seder, Hardin; Josh Marottek, Medicine Lake; Charles Marottek, Poplar, 49 Pts.

12. Cole Plouffe, Glendive, 48 Pts. 

13.  Chad Dawson, Dickinson, N.D. 47 Pts. 

14. James Decker, Sidney, 46 Pts.

14. (tie) Steve Lowrey, Fairview; Chad Mueller, Sidney, 46 Pts. 

17. Steve Harris Sr., Sidney, 38 Pts. 

18. Steve Harris Jr., Sidney, 35 Pts. 

19. (tie) Dan Achten, Laurel; Amber Achten, Laurel; Blake Gauer, Park City; Lindsey Gauer, Park City; James Bergeron, Sidney, 33 Pts.