Joe McLain of Dorr, a Wayland High School graduate, has qualified for the bass fishing national championship in 2025.

McLain captured second place on the co-angler side of the Michigan BASS Nation state championship this past weekend.

“What an opportunity, what an experience!” He posted on Facebook. “I couldn’t have done it without Joe Brower. He knows how to drive a boat on the big water like I’ve never seen, and put us on good fish.”

McLain said he appreciated the support from wife Alisha McLain and children, as he was gone for the last week and a half practicing and fishing a local week nighter, where he took first and landed the big bass Wednesday.

“My wife stood behind me 100%, held the fort down while I was out grinding and I can’t thank her enough,” he added.