The Montana Cats Circuit Angler of the Year is currently sponsored by BnM Poles. Their partnership with the Montana Catfish Association began in the spring of 2014. BnM Poles offers catfish specific rods and terminal tackle. The company provides a new rod and a $500 cash prize for the Angler of the Year at the conclusion of each season. Please support this business that supports Montana Catfishing. https://www.bnmpoles.com/ Thank you BnM!
2024
The "Wise Guys" are back on top! For the first time since 2015, the father-son duo from Billings have scaled to the top of the Montana Cats mountain. On the heels of FOUR top 15 finishes, these two legends of the Catfish "game" have been crowned 2024 B'n'M Fishing MT Cats Co-Anglers of the Year. Bobby and Robert started the season off with a 10th place finish at the Yellowstone Challenge in Huntley, claimed a Top 5 at the Classic in Glasgow, and then locked in their overall score of 57 with a 6th place finish at the Roundup in Sidney. Their season came to a close with a very respectable 14th place at the Clash in Williston; a score that was ultimately thrown out when calculating their top 3 performances of the season.
3rd place went to Steve Harris Sr. of Sidney, MT with 55 points. It was Steve's 1st time in the Top 5 of the final AOY standings. Steve's season was highlighted by a tournament championship in Huntley with his son, Steve Jr. Brenner Flaten finished in 4th place with an overall score of 54 points. Remarkably; this is Flaten's 8th time in the Top five of the final AOY standings over the course of the last 10 years. The Braunberger's from Miles City rounded out this year's Top 5 with 53 total points. It is a 3rd consecutive Top five finish for Eric; who was coming off Back to Back circuit championships coming into this season.
B'n'M continues to be the long-standing Angler of the Year sponsor and has most recently been joined by MPLX. Together these two organizations help financially support ALL the plaques awarded at our four individual tournaments as well as the end of the year AOY grand prize. This year; B'n'M will be contributing $500 in cash to the AOY pot as the Wise Guys fish exclusively with BnM rods. MPLX has also contributed over $1,000 in cash towards the plaques for this season and the remaining balance of that contribution will be re-directed in the form of an added bonus to the AOY winners.
View the 2024 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2024 please click HERE.
| 1. | Bobby Wise (Billings, MT.) | 57 Points | (4 events) |
| Robert Wise (Billings, MT.) | 57 Points | (4 events) | |
| 3. | Steve Harris Sr. (Sidney, MT.) | 55 Points | (3 events) |
| 4. | Brenner Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 54 Points | (3 events) |
| 5. | Eric Braunberger (Miles City, MT.) | 53 Points | (4 events) |
| Lukas Braunberger (Miles City, MT.) | 53 Points | (4 events) |
.jpeg "2023 MT Cats AOY")
2023
Congratulations to our 2023 B'n'M Poles Montana Cats Anglers of the Year!
Jason Flaten, Elko, NV., and Eric Braunberger, Miles City, MT. share this year’s highest honor.
Jason fished 3 events this season; winning the season opening Yellowstone Challenge Catfish Tournament, following it up with a title on his home waters at the Milk River Catfish Classic, and topping it off with a 6th place finish at the NE Montana Monster Cat Round-up in Sidney for a total of 70 points! Eric competed in ALL 4 events again this season. His season was absent an individual title, but he would prove very consistent on circuit. Eric grabbed hardware at Huntley and the Missouri River Catfish Clash in Williston with runner-up finishes in both events. He also grabbed a 4th place in Sidney. Those top three finishes also equaled 70 points! This is a 2nd Career “AOY” for both anglers. For Eric it’s a Back to Back version as he finished in a 3-way tie for the top spot in 2022. Jason won the circuit’s top honor in 2018.
Excellent job gentleman! Montana Cats and BnM co-sponsored this year’s award with Plaques for the wall and $1,250 in added bonus money. The two anglers will share the cash prize.
Finishing 3rd was Brenner Flaten of Glasgow, MT. Flaten fished 3 events and finished with 66 points. This is Brenner’s 7th time in the top 5 of the final MT Cats AOY standings in the 11 years of the award’s existence! 4th place went to Steve Norcutt, also of Glasgow, MT. Norcutt fished 3 events and finished with 55 points. This is Steve’s first time in the Top 5. Rounding out the Top 5 was George Stuckers, Sidney, MT. and Kyle Knight, Billings, MT. This duo finished 14th in the 2022 AOY standings, but really battled it out at three events this season to claim 49 points and march up the leaderboard.
View the 2023 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2023 please click HERE.
| 1. | Jason Flaten (Elko, NV.) | 70 Points | (3 events) |
| Eric Braunberger (Miles City, MT.) | 70 Points | (4 events) | |
| 3. | Brenner Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 66 Points | (3 events) |
| 4. | Steve Norcutt (Glasgow, MT.) | 56 Points | (3 events) |
| 5. | George Stuckers (Sidney, MT.) | 49 Points | (3 events) |
| Kyle Knight (Billings, MT.) | 49 Points | (3 events) |
2022
For the 1st time in Montana Cats history we have a 3-way tie for B'n'M Poles Angler of the Year! In what was a tightly contested battle all season long, it’s teammates Eddie White and Eric Braunberger, both of Miles City and Glendive’s 3-time reigning champion, Cole Plouffe sharing this year’s coveted crown!
White and Braunberger used a 6th place in Huntley at the Challenge, a 3rd Place in Glasgow at the Classic, and a season ending championship at the Clash in Williston for 68 total points. (They also finished 18th at the Roundup in Sidney).
Plouffe nabbed his share of a 4th straight AOY, with a 4th place in Huntley, a tourney title in Sidney, and a 5th place in Williston to score 68. (He also finished 13th in Glasgow).
View the 2022 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2022 please click HERE.
| 1. | Eric Braunberger (Miles City, MT.) | 68 Points | (4 events) |
| Eddie White (Miles City, MT.) | 68 Points | (4 events) | |
| Cole Plouffe (Glendive, MT.) | 68 Points | (4 events) | |
| 4. | Chad Dawson (Glasgow, MT.) | 65 Points | (3 events) |
| 5. | Brenner Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 60 Points | (3 events) |
2021
Cole Plouffe, of Glendive, MT., is your 2021 B'n'M Poles Angler of the Year on the Montana Cats Circuit! Cole used a 4th place finish at the Challenge, a 3rd Place showing at the Classic, and topped it off with a Championship at the Clash. MT Cats uses an angler’s top 3 performances and he finished with a total of 70 points. This is a 3rd consecutive AOY for Plouffe. He earns a plaque for the wall, a new rod, and a $500 cash prize from BnM.
Finishing runner-up was Dickinson, ND angler, Chad Dawson who came up just short of his first AOY with 68 total points. Dawson enjoyed one of the most consistent years ever put together on the trail, finishing 4th, 6th, 1st, & 5th for a 4-tournament total of 88 points.
Rounding out the top 3, was the “Wise Guys” out of Billings, MT. Bobby and Robert finished tied at 63 points apiece.
View the 2021 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2021 please click HERE.
| 1. | Cole Plouffe (Glendive, MT.) | 70 Points | (4 events) |
| 2. | Chad Dawson (Dickinson, ND.) | 68 Points | (4 events) |
| 3. | Bobby Wise (Billings, MT.) | 63 Points | (4 events) |
| Robert Wise (Billings, MT.) | 63 Points | (4 events) | |
| 5. | Rod Seder (Billings, MT.) | 60 Points | (4 events) |
| Rob Seder (Hardin, MT.) | 60 Points | (4 events) |
2020
Cole Plouffe, Glendive, MT. has done it again! The Montana Cats Circuit veteran clinched the 2020 Montana Cats Angler of the Year at the season's culminating event. Plouffe finished in 2nd place at the season opening Yellowstone Challenge in Huntley, went back home and finished 7th place at the Milk River Catfish Classic in Glasgow, took 14th place at the Monster Cat Roundup in Sidney, and closed it all out with a 3rd place finish at the Missouri River Catfish Clash in Williston. His 66 points were good enough to win the AOY title for the second consecutive year. He becomes the first 2-time winner in the eight year history of the award! James Decker, of Sidney, MT., turned in a stelar season in his own right finishing with 63 points to finish with Runner-Up honors. Fellow Sidney angler, Austin Bement claimed 3rd place overall in the final AOY standings with a solid 60 points.
View the 2020 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2020 please click HERE.
| 1. | Cole Plouffe (Glendive, MT.) | 66 Points | (4 events) |
| 2. | James Decker (Sidney, MT.) | 63 Points | (3 events) |
| 3. | Austin Bement (Sidney, MT.) | 60 Points | (3 events) |
| 4. | Brenner Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 57 Points | (3 events) |
| 5. | Robert Peterson (Billings, MT.) | 54 Points | (3 events) |
| Jayson Riggin (Billings, MT.) | 54 Points | (3 events) |
2019
A BIG Congratulations to Cole Plouffe, Glendive, MT. on winning the 2019 B'n'M Poles Montana Cats Angler of the Year! Plouffe finished in 12th place at the season opening Yellowstone Challenge in Huntley, went back to his home waters and finished in 3rd place at the Milk River Catfish Classic in Glasgow, grabbed another bronze with a 3rd place at the Monster Cat Roundup in Sidney, & closed it all out with a championship at the Missouri River Catfish Clash in Williston. His 71 point total is tied for the second best finish in MT Cats AOY history and earns him $500 cash from B'n'M Poles along with a plaque for the wall! Maybe the most impressive part about this accomplishment is he did it while fishing the four circuit events with four different anglers. 2017 Angler of the Year, Brenner Flaten, of Glasgow, MT., finished in the Runner Up spot for the 2nd consecutive year with 65 points. 2015 Co-Anglers of the Year, The “Wise Guys”, Bobby Wise and Robert Wise, both of Billings, MT. rounded out the top 3. Tied at 58 points.
It’s the 7th year in a row MT Cats has crowned an Angler of the Year and for the 7th time we have a different Angler of the Year! No repeat winners. Truly speaking to the overall strength & competitiveness of one of our country’s best Catfish Circuits. Congratulations Cole...you’ve earned it.
View the 2019 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2019 please click HERE.
| 1. | Cole Plouffe (Glendive, MT.) | 71 Points | (4 events) |
| 2. | Brenner Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 65 Points | (3 events) |
| 3. | Bobby Wise (Billings, MT.) | 58 Points | (4 events) |
| Robert Wise (Billings, MT.) | 58 Points | (4 events) | |
| 5. | Steve Lowrey (Fairview, MT.) | 51 Points | (4 events) |
2018
A huge shout out to Jason Flaten, West Wendover, NV., on winning the 2018 Montana Cats Angler of the Year sponsored by B'n'M Poles! The Association awards the AOY based on an angler’s top 3 finishes out of our 4 events. He took gold at the Challenge and the Classic, while claiming runner-up honors at the Roundup. For his efforts, Flaten set a NEW circuit record with 74 total points! One that will be very difficult to break in the future. He also secured $500 added cash bonus courtesy of B’n’M for using their rods during this achievement. Last year's Angler of the Year, Brenner Flaten, claimed the runner-up slot with 67 total points.
This is the 9th different angler to either win or share this award in it’s official 6-year history. We have had no repeat winners. Speaking to the true competitiveness of this tour. Beautiful plaques were once again provided by the Montana Catfish Association. View the 2018 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2018 please click HERE.
| 1. | Jason Flaten (West Wendover, NV.) | 74 Points | (4 events) |
| 2. | Brenner Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 67 Points | (3 events) |
| 3. | Chris Kolstad (Williston, ND.) | 54 Points | (3 events) |
| Willy Lauckner (Nashua, MT.) | 54 Points | (3 events) | |
| 5. | Bobby Wise (Billings, MT.) | 53 Points | (4 events) |
| Robert Wise (Billings, MT.) | 53 Points | (4 events) |
2017
There is clear path to the annual MT Cats Angler of the Year award. Find a way to capture hardware in at least three events. Brenner Flaten (Glasgow, MT) did just that in 2017. The Milk River Catfish Classic tournament director had little room for error fishing the other three events on circuit. He opened up the season with a 3rd place finish at the Challenge, took another bronze at the mid-season Roundup in Sidney, and solidified the top spot with his 1st ever Missouri River Catfish Clash title to close out the season. His 71 points is a new MT Cats AOY points record. Last year’s Co-Angler’s of The Year, Randy Franco and Nick Fortier, of Billings, came in just short of a repeat performance. Their 67 points was good enough for a tie for 2nd place with circuit veteran Nate Molstad of Havre, MT. B’n’M Poles once again sponsored this year’s Angler of the Year Award. This is their 4th year in a row as the title sponsor. Flaten came away with $250 courtesy of B’n’M and beautiful plaques provided by the Montana Catfish Association. View the 2017 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2017 please click HERE.
| 1. | Brenner Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 71 Points | (3 events) |
| 2. | Randy Franco (Billings, MT.) | 67 Points | (4 events) |
| Nick Fortier (Billings, MT.) | 67 Points | (4 events) | |
| Nate Molstad (Havre, MT.) | 67 Points | (3 events) | |
| 5. | James Decker (Sidney, MT.) | 54 Points | (4 events) |
| Steve Lowrey (Fairview, MT.) | 54 Points | (4 events) |
2016
The Missouri River Catfish Clash provided the drama again, as the 2016 Montana Cats B’N’M Angler of the Year came down to the culminating event. Circuit veteran, Brady Flaten, made things interesting by winning the year-end event, but Billings anglers, Randy Franco and Nick Fortier were able to keep their lead by finishing with a solid 7th place finish of their own. Combine that finish with their tourney championship at the Yellowstone Challenge and a 5th place showing in Sidney and the duo mustered 68 points to finish with a 2 point victory. Last years Co-Anglers of the year, Bobby and Robert Wise, also of Billings, finished in a tie for 4th. Franco and Fortier come away with a $500 cash prize from B’n’M rods (they also fish with B’n’M rods) and beautiful plaques provided by All Awards out of Lewistown. We’d also like to thank Bryon Armour for his outstanding support providing all the plaques for the whole tour. This is the All-Awards final year in providing our plaques. We can’t thank them enough for ALL their years of teamwork with Montana Cats. View the 2016 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2016 please click HERE.
| 1. | Randy Franco (Billings, MT.) | 68 Points | (4 events) |
| Nick Fortier (Billings, MT.) | 68 Points | (4 events) | |
| 3. | Brady Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 66 Points | (3 events) |
| 4. | Bobby Wise (Billings, MT.) | 65 Points | (4 events) |
| Robert Wise (Billings, MT.) | 65 Points | (4 events) |
2015
Montana Cats 2015 B’N’M Angler-of-the-Year race once again came down to the wire at the Missouri River Catfish Clash. Coming out on top were tourney veterans Robert and Bobby Wise (2nd place at the clash to secure the top prize)! This is the father/son combo first Montana Cats Angler of the year……great job guys! They came away with a $500 cash prize from B’n’M rods (they fish with B’n’M rods exclusively) and beautiful plaques provided by All Awards out of Lewistown. We’d also like to thank Bryon Armour for his outstanding support providing all the plaques for the whole tour. Congrats on another great year guys, can’t wait for next year. See ya at the Challenge to kick off the 2016 season. View the 2015 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2015 please click HERE.
| 1. | Bobby Wise (Billings, MT.) | 68 Points | (4 events) |
| Robert Wise (Billings, MT.) | 68 Points | (4 events) | |
| 3. | Chad Dawson (Dickinson, ND.) | 60 Points | (3 events) |
| 4. | Brenner Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 56 Points | (3 events) |
| 5. | Blake Gauer (Park City, MT.) | 52 Points | (4 events) |
2014
Montana Cats would like to announce a NEW sponsor for our annual “Angler of the Year” award. Tackle manufacturer, B’N’M, has now stepped up to the plate and offered up $250 to our Angler of the Year. They will step it up even further, and drop $500 to the Angler(s) of the Year if they use B’N’M Catfish Rods to bring home the title. Brady Mueller, Sidney, MT, rose above the rest in 2014. Brady opened up the season with a 14th place finish at the Yellowstone Challenge, grabbed a mid-year Championship on his home waters in Sidney, and capped it all off with a 3rd place finish at the Missouri River Catfish Clash in Williston. At the end of the day, he cleared the field by 4 points. Park City, MT angler, Blake Gauer, finished in 2nd. Brady comes away with a $250 cash prize from B’n’M rods and beautiful plaques provided by All Awards out of Lewistown. View the 2014 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2014 please click HERE.
| 1. | Brady Mueller (Sidney, MT.) | 60 Points | (4 events) |
| 2. | Blake Gauer (Park City, MT.) | 56 Points | (4 events) |
| 3. | Chad Mueller (Sidney, MT.) | 55 Points | (4 events) |
| 4. | Justin King (Sidney, MT.) | 50 Points | (4 events) |
| Jeremiah Hopstad (Billings, MT.) | 50 Points | (3 events) |
2013
For the first time in the history of Montana, a Catfishing Circuit began awarding an “Angler of the Year”. The inaugural award was sponsored by “All-Awards” out of Lewistown, Montana. The 2013 winners received a 3 foot trophy from Bryon Armour and All-Awards and Montana Cats kicked in a $200 cash prize. Gage Gordon (Belgrade, MT) and Mac Reid (Bozeman, MT) took the Montana Cats circuit by storm in 2013. Gage finished in the top 15 in all four events. Gage and Mac did team up to finish 2nd in the Milk River Catfish Classic and The Missouri River Catfish Clash. They also enjoyed a 3rd place finish at the Monster Cat Roundup in Sidney. The 71 points was an incredible total and just beat out a tremendous season by Brady Flaten. Flaten finished 4th at Sidney and Glasgow and topped it all off with the tourney title in Williston. However, Gage Gordon and Mac Reid were ultimately disqualified and permanently banned from the Montana Cats Circuit in 2014 due to a significant rules violation. Per Montana Catfish Association policy, when angler(s) are caught breaking significant rules ALL of their previous accolades/results are wiped from the history books and previous titles become permanently VACATED. View the 2013 top five Standings below. To see the complete FINAL Angler of the Year Standings for 2013 please click HERE.
| 1. | VACATED | 71 Points | (4 events) |
| VACATED | 71 Points | (3 events) | |
| 3. | Brady Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 69 Points | (3 events) |
| 4. | Bobby Wise (Billings, MT.) | 65 Points | (4 events) |
| Robert Wise (Billings, MT.) | 65 Points | (3 events) |
The Montana Catfish Association began sponsoring FOUR (4) tournaments per season in 2009. However, the Montana Cats “Angler of the Year” did NOT become official until 2013. The organization had only a handful of anglers fishing three or four tournaments in a season prior to 2013. The Montana Cats Board of Directors decided to begin sponsoring an Angler of the Year Award to help entice more anglers to fish outside of their “comfort zone” and help us truly become a traveling circuit. It is important to note that the results below are only considered unofficial and are provided for your viewing pleasure. Here are the Top Five from 2009 to 2012:
2012
| 1. | Chad Dawson (Dickinson, ND.) | 70 points | 4 events |
| 2. | Brenner Flaten (Wright, WY.) | 65 points | 3 events |
| 3. | Brady Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 50 points | 3 events |
| 4. | VACATED | 49 points | 2 events |
| VACATED | 49 points | 2 events |
2011
| 1. | Brandon Mueller (Sidney, MT.) | 60 points | 3 events |
| 2. | Brenner Flaten (Wright, WY.) | 57 points | 3 events |
| 3. | Chad Mueller (Sidney, MT.) | 48 points | 3 events |
| 4. | Chad Dawson (Dickinson, ND.) | 45 points | 3 events |
| 5. | Troy Cotter (Sidney, MT.) | 44 points | 2 events |
2010
| 1. | Nate Molstad (Havre, MT.) | 55 points | 3 events |
| 2. | Chad Dawson (Dickinson, ND.) | 44 points | 2 events |
| Lars Sorensen (Fort Peck, MT.) | 44 points | 2 events | |
| 4. | Brenner Flaten (Wright, WY.) | 43 points | 2 events |
| 5. | Brady Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 30 points | 2 events |
2009
| 1. | Brenner Flaten (Wright, WY.) | 55 points | 3 events |
| 2. | Brady Flaten (Glasgow, MT.) | 52 points | 3 events |
| 3. | Chad Dawson (Glasgow, MT.) | 42 points | 2 events |
| 4. | Lars Sorensen (Fort Peck, MT.) | 40 points | 2 events |
| 5. | Tyler George (Shepherd, MT.) | 34 points | 2 events |
