®
Summer 2026
P
acific Northwest fisheries scattered across Oregon,
Washington, and Idaho demand versatility. One
week might mean current-driven smallmouth on the Columbia River, followed by finesse fishing in natural lakes.
Success requires constant change and creates a certain kind of
angler. That background shaped
Rogue River, Ore. angler Colby
Pearson’s fishing experience, and
it shows in his angling career.
“We’re just exposed to a multitude of types of fisheries,” he says. “That gives you a really good fishing education.”
Unlike many pros who build reputations around dominant home waters, Pearson never had a singular “home tournament lake.” Instead, his career has been built on figuring places out quickly. “My career has always been going to new places and getting my feet underneath me as fast as I can,” he explained. “After eight years, I’ve become pretty proficient at it.”
That approach has translated on the BAM trail. His list of accomplishments reflects consistency in wildly different environments.
He has recorded a BAM Pro Tour Angler of the Year title as well as a Pro Tour win on Lake Martinez in Arizona and Almanor in California. He has top-5’d on the tidal waters of the California Delta in the Super 60 and earned a top-10 on Clear Lake Super 60 championship. At the Columbia River,
he’s achieved multiple top-10
finishes and has accumulated
more than $50,000 in earnings
from the BAM trail alone.
Regardless of the venue, Pearson is a force to be reckoned with. We checked in with him on his thoughts regarding his success on fisheries across the west coast.
SIMPLIFYING THE DELTA
The California Delta can humble any angler on any day. Endless water, changing tides, and constantly repositioning fish can overwhelm even experienced tournament pros. Early in his Delta experience, Pearson admits he may have overcomplicated things. “At first, I put more emphasis on tide than I was prepared for,” he said. “That’ll spin a guy out.” Over time, he
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