It’s been a tournament defined by timing, precision and composure and Toyota Bonus Bucks member Easton Fothergill has brought all three to the forefront on Lake Hartwell this week. Now, as he heads into Championship Sunday at the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series event, the Minnesota native sits poised with a shot to claim a coveted blue trophy.
Story and photos by Walker Smith
It’s been a tournament defined by timing, precision and composure and Toyota Bonus Bucks member Easton Fothergill has brought all three to the forefront on Lake Hartwell this week. Now, as he heads into Championship Sunday at the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series event, the Minnesota native sits poised with a shot to claim a coveted blue trophy.
Fothergill, who has been among the most consistent anglers in the field throughout the first three days of competition, knows exactly what it’s going to take to bring home the blue trophy and he's not shying away from taking the necessary risks.
“It’s been really important,” Fothergill said of his ability to stay steady. “I’m on a great average-size of fish doing my pattern. I have about a 3-pound average but I really need that 5-plus pound pounder each day to bring me up to a weight that can help me win this event.”
That kind of brutal honesty has become a hallmark of Fothergill's approach this season and it’s served him well at Hartwell. With daily weights hovering in the 15- to 16-pound range, he’s kept himself firmly in contention by staying locked in on the herring spawn—a notoriously fickle but high-reward pattern this time of year on the clear, blueback herring-rich reservoir.
But it’s not just about the pattern. It’s about how he’s managing it.
“I’m around several other boats and I’m seeing a lot of Top 10 anglers,” Fothergill explained. “We’re all being super cordial and respectful so I’m not worried about that at all. I’m grateful to have spent enough time here in college learning this lake. I used to get my tail whooped here during the herring spawn back then, so I made it a point to learn more about it through the years. I’ve learned since then that it’s all about timing and rotation.”
Those years of experience are showing now in a big way.
While Hartwell might not be his home lake, Fothergill's decision to invest in understanding its seasonal behavior—especially around the often-misunderstood herring spawn—has made him one of the more dangerous anglers on the water this week. With a well-established morning program followed by a tactical move to the shallows as the sun rises, his approach has mirrored that of seasoned veterans.
“I’ve been using two or three techniques,” he said. “I’m solely focused on the herring spawn until the sun gets high then I’ll go shallow to fish for cruising and shallow fish. I found two really big bed fish on Saturday afternoon that wouldn’t bite. But I’m really hoping they’re going to lock down overnight and if I could catch both of them tomorrow, it could be a really special day.”
If those two fish commit on Sunday, it could be a tournament-altering moment.
Fothergill’s willingness to adjust within his system, a defining trait of successful Elite Series anglers, has also been critical. While others have scrambled to relocate roaming bass or chase sporadic schooling activity, he’s executed with poise, rotating through his most productive zones with the utmost patience.
Still, like any tournament, there have been a few missed opportunities.
“On the first day of the tournament, I lost a few big ones,” Fothergill admitted. “It could have really changed how my tournament went. But I can’t complain because on day two and day three, everything has pretty much gone flawlessly.”
It’s that mindset—focused on the future, not dwelling on the past—that keeps Fothergill dangerous heading into the final stretch. With a slim margin separating him from the current leader, he knows that Championship Sunday will demand something special.
And the weather might just provide the boost he needs.
“The weather on Sunday should help me but I’m most excited about the herring bite and I’d love a breeze and a little ripple in the water,” he said. “I’m pretty dialed into that pattern, especially in the morning, so a little surface disturbance would be ideal for what I’m doing.”
Forecasts are calling for partly cloudy skies and a moderate breeze out of the west; prime conditions for herring-related activity. If everything aligns and Fothergill is able to capitalize early, the door swings wide open for a final-day surge.
But he’s not leaving it to chance.
“I’m going to take some chances tomorrow,” Fothergill added. “I have to make something pretty crazy happen in order to win this thing but anything is possible and I’m looking forward to it.”
As for the lake itself? Hartwell holds a special place in Fothergill’s heart.
“Hartwell is my favorite lake in the country because it reminds me of the clear waters of back home in Minnesota,” he said. “It’s tricky to figure out and it’s not always easy, but I feel like each time I get to fish here, I learn more and more how to crack the code.”
With that kind of appreciation for the process and the place, it’s hard not to root for him. Whether he hoists the trophy on Sunday or not, Easton Fothergill has proven he belongs in the spotlight. With a little luck and a lot of execution, he might just end Championship Sunday with a big, blue trophy hoisted over his head.
It’s been a tournament defined by timing, precision and composure and Toyota Bonus Bucks member Easton Fothergill has brought all three to the forefront on Lake Hartwell this week. Now, as he heads into Championship Sunday at the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series event, the Minnesota native sits poised with a shot to claim a coveted blue trophy.
Fothergill, who has been among the most consistent anglers in the field throughout the first three days of competition, knows exactly what it’s going to take to bring home the blue trophy and he's not shying away from taking the necessary risks.
“It’s been really important,” Fothergill said of his ability to stay steady. “I’m on a great average-size of fish doing my pattern. I have about a 3-pound average but I really need that 5-plus pound pounder each day to bring me up to a weight that can help me win this event.”
That kind of brutal honesty has become a hallmark of Fothergill's approach this season and it’s served him well at Hartwell. With daily weights hovering in the 15- to 16-pound range, he’s kept himself firmly in contention by staying locked in on the herring spawn—a notoriously fickle but high-reward pattern this time of year on the clear, blueback herring-rich reservoir.
But it’s not just about the pattern. It’s about how he’s managing it.
“I’m around several other boats and I’m seeing a lot of Top 10 anglers,” Fothergill explained. “We’re all being super cordial and respectful so I’m not worried about that at all. I’m grateful to have spent enough time here in college learning this lake. I used to get my tail whooped here during the herring spawn back then, so I made it a point to learn more about it through the years. I’ve learned since then that it’s all about timing and rotation.”
Those years of experience are showing now in a big way.
While Hartwell might not be his home lake, Fothergill's decision to invest in understanding its seasonal behavior—especially around the often-misunderstood herring spawn—has made him one of the more dangerous anglers on the water this week. With a well-established morning program followed by a tactical move to the shallows as the sun rises, his approach has mirrored that of seasoned veterans.
“I’ve been using two or three techniques,” he said. “I’m solely focused on the herring spawn until the sun gets high then I’ll go shallow to fish for cruising and shallow fish. I found two really big bed fish on Saturday afternoon that wouldn’t bite. But I’m really hoping they’re going to lock down overnight and if I could catch both of them tomorrow, it could be a really special day.”
If those two fish commit on Sunday, it could be a tournament-altering moment.
Fothergill’s willingness to adjust within his system, a defining trait of successful Elite Series anglers, has also been critical. While others have scrambled to relocate roaming bass or chase sporadic schooling activity, he’s executed with poise, rotating through his most productive zones with the utmost patience.
Still, like any tournament, there have been a few missed opportunities.
“On the first day of the tournament, I lost a few big ones,” Fothergill admitted. “It could have really changed how my tournament went. But I can’t complain because on day two and day three, everything has pretty much gone flawlessly.”
It’s that mindset—focused on the future, not dwelling on the past—that keeps Fothergill dangerous heading into the final stretch. With a slim margin separating him from the current leader, he knows that Championship Sunday will demand something special.
And the weather might just provide the boost he needs.
“The weather on Sunday should help me but I’m most excited about the herring bite and I’d love a breeze and a little ripple in the water,” he said. “I’m pretty dialed into that pattern, especially in the morning, so a little surface disturbance would be ideal for what I’m doing.”
Forecasts are calling for partly cloudy skies and a moderate breeze out of the west; prime conditions for herring-related activity. If everything aligns and Fothergill is able to capitalize early, the door swings wide open for a final-day surge.
But he’s not leaving it to chance.
“I’m going to take some chances tomorrow,” Fothergill added. “I have to make something pretty crazy happen in order to win this thing but anything is possible and I’m looking forward to it.”
As for the lake itself? Hartwell holds a special place in Fothergill’s heart.
“Hartwell is my favorite lake in the country because it reminds me of the clear waters of back home in Minnesota,” he said. “It’s tricky to figure out and it’s not always easy, but I feel like each time I get to fish here, I learn more and more how to crack the code.”
With that kind of appreciation for the process and the place, it’s hard not to root for him. Whether he hoists the trophy on Sunday or not, Easton Fothergill has proven he belongs in the spotlight. With a little luck and a lot of execution, he might just end Championship Sunday with a big, blue trophy hoisted over his head.
It’s been a tournament defined by timing, precision and composure and Toyota Bonus Bucks member Easton Fothergill has brought all three to the forefront on Lake Hartwell this week. Now, as he heads into Championship Sunday at the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series event, the Minnesota native sits poised with a shot to claim a coveted blue trophy.
Fothergill, who has been among the most consistent anglers in the field throughout the first three days of competition, knows exactly what it’s going to take to bring home the blue trophy and he's not shying away from taking the necessary risks.
“It’s been really important,” Fothergill said of his ability to stay steady. “I’m on a great average-size of fish doing my pattern. I have about a 3-pound average but I really need that 5-plus pound pounder each day to bring me up to a weight that can help me win this event.”
That kind of brutal honesty has become a hallmark of Fothergill's approach this season and it’s served him well at Hartwell. With daily weights hovering in the 15- to 16-pound range, he’s kept himself firmly in contention by staying locked in on the herring spawn—a notoriously fickle but high-reward pattern this time of year on the clear, blueback herring-rich reservoir.
But it’s not just about the pattern. It’s about how he’s managing it.
“I’m around several other boats and I’m seeing a lot of Top 10 anglers,” Fothergill explained. “We’re all being super cordial and respectful so I’m not worried about that at all. I’m grateful to have spent enough time here in college learning this lake. I used to get my tail whooped here during the herring spawn back then, so I made it a point to learn more about it through the years. I’ve learned since then that it’s all about timing and rotation.”
Those years of experience are showing now in a big way.
While Hartwell might not be his home lake, Fothergill's decision to invest in understanding its seasonal behavior—especially around the often-misunderstood herring spawn—has made him one of the more dangerous anglers on the water this week. With a well-established morning program followed by a tactical move to the shallows as the sun rises, his approach has mirrored that of seasoned veterans.
“I’ve been using two or three techniques,” he said. “I’m solely focused on the herring spawn until the sun gets high then I’ll go shallow to fish for cruising and shallow fish. I found two really big bed fish on Saturday afternoon that wouldn’t bite. But I’m really hoping they’re going to lock down overnight and if I could catch both of them tomorrow, it could be a really special day.”
If those two fish commit on Sunday, it could be a tournament-altering moment.
Fothergill’s willingness to adjust within his system, a defining trait of successful Elite Series anglers, has also been critical. While others have scrambled to relocate roaming bass or chase sporadic schooling activity, he’s executed with poise, rotating through his most productive zones with the utmost patience.
Still, like any tournament, there have been a few missed opportunities.
“On the first day of the tournament, I lost a few big ones,” Fothergill admitted. “It could have really changed how my tournament went. But I can’t complain because on day two and day three, everything has pretty much gone flawlessly.”
It’s that mindset—focused on the future, not dwelling on the past—that keeps Fothergill dangerous heading into the final stretch. With a slim margin separating him from the current leader, he knows that Championship Sunday will demand something special.
And the weather might just provide the boost he needs.
“The weather on Sunday should help me but I’m most excited about the herring bite and I’d love a breeze and a little ripple in the water,” he said. “I’m pretty dialed into that pattern, especially in the morning, so a little surface disturbance would be ideal for what I’m doing.”
Forecasts are calling for partly cloudy skies and a moderate breeze out of the west; prime conditions for herring-related activity. If everything aligns and Fothergill is able to capitalize early, the door swings wide open for a final-day surge.
But he’s not leaving it to chance.
“I’m going to take some chances tomorrow,” Fothergill added. “I have to make something pretty crazy happen in order to win this thing but anything is possible and I’m looking forward to it.”
As for the lake itself? Hartwell holds a special place in Fothergill’s heart.
“Hartwell is my favorite lake in the country because it reminds me of the clear waters of back home in Minnesota,” he said. “It’s tricky to figure out and it’s not always easy, but I feel like each time I get to fish here, I learn more and more how to crack the code.”
With that kind of appreciation for the process and the place, it’s hard not to root for him. Whether he hoists the trophy on Sunday or not, Easton Fothergill has proven he belongs in the spotlight. With a little luck and a lot of execution, he might just end Championship Sunday with a big, blue trophy hoisted over his head.
Fothergill, who has been among the most consistent anglers in the field throughout the first three days of competition, knows exactly what it’s going to take to bring home the blue trophy and he's not shying away from taking the necessary risks.
“It’s been really important,” Fothergill said of his ability to stay steady. “I’m on a great average-size of fish doing my pattern. I have about a 3-pound average but I really need that 5-plus pound pounder each day to bring me up to a weight that can help me win this event.”
That kind of brutal honesty has become a hallmark of Fothergill's approach this season and it’s served him well at Hartwell. With daily weights hovering in the 15- to 16-pound range, he’s kept himself firmly in contention by staying locked in on the herring spawn—a notoriously fickle but high-reward pattern this time of year on the clear, blueback herring-rich reservoir.
But it’s not just about the pattern. It’s about how he’s managing it.
“I’m around several other boats and I’m seeing a lot of Top 10 anglers,” Fothergill explained. “We’re all being super cordial and respectful so I’m not worried about that at all. I’m grateful to have spent enough time here in college learning this lake. I used to get my tail whooped here during the herring spawn back then, so I made it a point to learn more about it through the years. I’ve learned since then that it’s all about timing and rotation.”
Those years of experience are showing now in a big way.
While Hartwell might not be his home lake, Fothergill's decision to invest in understanding its seasonal behavior—especially around the often-misunderstood herring spawn—has made him one of the more dangerous anglers on the water this week. With a well-established morning program followed by a tactical move to the shallows as the sun rises, his approach has mirrored that of seasoned veterans.
“I’ve been using two or three techniques,” he said. “I’m solely focused on the herring spawn until the sun gets high then I’ll go shallow to fish for cruising and shallow fish. I found two really big bed fish on Saturday afternoon that wouldn’t bite. But I’m really hoping they’re going to lock down overnight and if I could catch both of them tomorrow, it could be a really special day.”
If those two fish commit on Sunday, it could be a tournament-altering moment.
Fothergill’s willingness to adjust within his system, a defining trait of successful Elite Series anglers, has also been critical. While others have scrambled to relocate roaming bass or chase sporadic schooling activity, he’s executed with poise, rotating through his most productive zones with the utmost patience.
Still, like any tournament, there have been a few missed opportunities.
“On the first day of the tournament, I lost a few big ones,” Fothergill admitted. “It could have really changed how my tournament went. But I can’t complain because on day two and day three, everything has pretty much gone flawlessly.”
It’s that mindset—focused on the future, not dwelling on the past—that keeps Fothergill dangerous heading into the final stretch. With a slim margin separating him from the current leader, he knows that Championship Sunday will demand something special.
And the weather might just provide the boost he needs.
“The weather on Sunday should help me but I’m most excited about the herring bite and I’d love a breeze and a little ripple in the water,” he said. “I’m pretty dialed into that pattern, especially in the morning, so a little surface disturbance would be ideal for what I’m doing.”
Forecasts are calling for partly cloudy skies and a moderate breeze out of the west; prime conditions for herring-related activity. If everything aligns and Fothergill is able to capitalize early, the door swings wide open for a final-day surge.
But he’s not leaving it to chance.
“I’m going to take some chances tomorrow,” Fothergill added. “I have to make something pretty crazy happen in order to win this thing but anything is possible and I’m looking forward to it.”
As for the lake itself? Hartwell holds a special place in Fothergill’s heart.
“Hartwell is my favorite lake in the country because it reminds me of the clear waters of back home in Minnesota,” he said. “It’s tricky to figure out and it’s not always easy, but I feel like each time I get to fish here, I learn more and more how to crack the code.”
With that kind of appreciation for the process and the place, it’s hard not to root for him. Whether he hoists the trophy on Sunday or not, Easton Fothergill has proven he belongs in the spotlight. With a little luck and a lot of execution, he might just end Championship Sunday with a big, blue trophy hoisted over his head.
