Michigan pro Nate Wellman, who was recently fined and placed on probation by B.A.S.S. for an alleged incident at the Sandusky Bassmaster Northern Open, will not be permitted to fish next week's Champlain FLW Tour Open, according to the league. Furthermore, he will be ineligible to compete in FLW Outdoors events for 1 year.
Wellman fished the FLW Tour as a pro for 5 years before joining the Bassmaster Elite Series this year. He fished two of the four FLW Tour Opens so far this year. Champlain is slated as the third of the four Opens.
FLW Outdoors operations-division president Kathy Fennel told BassFan: "In light of his recent conduct during the Bassmaster Northern Open on Lake Erie, we have notified Nate Wellman that he is no longer eligible to participate in FLW Outdoors tournaments. We reached this decision after speaking with Mr. Wellman and determining that his actions were a clear violation of FLW Tour rule No. 9 regarding sportsmanship. Mr. Wellman may apply to have his eligibility reinstated after 1 year."
FLW Tour Rule 9, as referenced by Fennel, reads:
9. SPORTSMANSHIP All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, to FLW Outdoors, FLW Outdoors' sponsors, the sport of fishing and FLW Outdoors' efforts to promote the sport. Conduct not complying with these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following:
In case of any conduct not complying with the standards outlined above, FLW Outdoors shall have the right to refuse an application to compete, to deny a confirmed application to compete by returning the entry fee (minus deposit) or to disqualify a contestant.
