BMC rookie delivers one of the most improbable victories in tournament history.

Simms Fishing Products, the preeminent manufacturer of waders, outerwear, footwear, and technical fishing apparel and a Revelyst Inc. brand, proudly congratulates Simms Pro Dylan Nutt, who captured the 2026 Bassmaster Classic Championship on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn., delivering one of the most remarkable breakthrough victories in recent tournament history.

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Simms Pro Dylan Nutt captured the 2026 Bassmaster Classic Championship on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn., delivering one of the most remarkable breakthrough victories in recent tournament history.

At just 23, Nutt earned his place in the sport’s most prestigious event the hard way — qualifying through Bass Nation, the grassroots pathway that rarely leads to a Classic title. With his win, Nutt becomes only the second angler in Bassmaster Classic history to qualify through Bass Nation and win the championship, joining Bryan Kerchal, who accomplished the feat in 1994.

Even more impressive, the victory came in Nutt’s first-ever Bassmaster Classic appearance, a stage widely considered the largest and most competitive arena in professional bass fishing, where every angler in the field represents the best in the world.

“This week proved the next generation of anglers isn’t waiting their turn,” said Simms Marketing Community Leader, Peter Markano. “Dylan came into the biggest event in bass fishing as a challenger and left as a champion. The Simms team and I couldn’t be more proud to have an angler like Dylan representing our brand.”

Nutt, a Nashville, Tenn., native, built his competitive foundation fishing collegiately for the University of North Alabama before climbing through the Bass Nation ranks to reach the Classic. Fishing a dynamic Tennessee River fishery where local knowledge often dominates, Nutt proved that preparation, instincts, and execution can overcome any perceived hometown advantage.

His historic performance unfolded over three days:

• Day 1: 19.5 lbs
• Day 2: 26.1 lbs (largest single-day bag ever recorded on this fishery in Bassmaster Classic history)
• Day 3: 20.13 lbs
• Total (3 Days): 66.13 lbs

With his final weigh-in Sunday, Nutt secured the largest three-day total ever recorded on this fishery in Bassmaster Classic history, cementing a performance that will be remembered for years to come.

Adding to the remarkable weekend for the Nutt family, Dylan’s brother Carter Nutt captured the College Classic title the day before, marking an extraordinary back-to-back moment for the rising fishing family.

With the victory, Dylan Nutt also earns an automatic qualification to the prestigious Bassmaster Elite Series for the 2027 season, placing him among the sport’s top professional anglers moving forward.

“When it’s your time, nothing can go wrong,” Nutt said. “As long as I’ve been bass fishing, I’ve been dreaming of this moment. It’s just absolutely unreal.”

For Simms, the win reflects the spirit of anglers who push boundaries and rise to the biggest moments.

"Simms has always backed anglers who earn it — who show up, put in the work, and prove themselves on the water," Markano said. "Dylan Nutt is exactly that kind of angler. And now, he's the Bassmaster Classic champion."

Images, Courtesy Simms Fishing: Dylan Nutt, Championship Sunday Imagery

About Simms Fishing Products

Established in 1980, Simms is the preeminent manufacturer of waders, outerwear and technical fishing apparel and accessories. The full line of Simms gear is available at specialty and large format retailers across North America as well as www.simmsfishing.com.

About Revelyst

Revelyst Inc. is a collective of world-class maker brands that design and manufacture sports technology and outdoor gear. Our category-defining brands leverage meticulous craftsmanship and cross-collaboration to pursue new innovations that redefine what is humanly possible in the outdoors. Portfolio brands include Foresight Sports, Bushnell Golf, Fox, Bell, Giro, CamelBak, Bushnell, Simms Fishing and more. For more information, visit our website at www.revelyst.com.

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“This week proved the next generation of anglers isn’t waiting their turn,” said Simms Marketing Community Leader, Peter Markano. “Dylan came into the biggest event in bass fishing as a challenger and left as a champion."