2008 Elite Series Empire Chase: Day One, Behind the Scenes

In this photo gallery, you'll find behind-the-scenes images from Day One of the 2008 Elite Series Empire Chase on Lake Erie/Niagara River Tributaries, near Buffalo, New York.

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Ohio native Glenn Delong moved to 11th place on Day One with 19 pounds, 8 ounces.
Ohio native Glenn Delong moved to 11th place on Day One with 19 pounds, 8 ounces.
With very rough water conditions on Lake Erie on Day One, BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon spent a lot of time on the phone with anglers reporting broken-down boats, and tow-bow operators.
With very rough water conditions on Lake Erie on Day One, BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon spent a lot of time on the phone with anglers reporting broken-down boats, and tow-bow operators.
Michael Iaconelli sacked a limit weighing 21 pounds, 6 ounces and is in third place after Day One.
Michael Iaconelli sacked a limit weighing 21 pounds, 6 ounces and is in third place after Day One.
Jason Quinn brings his fish to the bump table at the end of Day One of the Empire Chase on Lake Erie. Quinn is back in 95th place with 9 pounds, 4 ounces.
Jason Quinn brings his fish to the bump table at the end of Day One of the Empire Chase on Lake Erie. Quinn is back in 95th place with 9 pounds, 4 ounces.
Aaron Martens' boat began to lose the 'Vault' wrap after the Day One pounding on Lake Erie.
Aaron Martens’ boat began to lose the ‘Vault’ wrap after the Day One pounding on Lake Erie.
Aaron Martens sits in second place after the first day of fishing on Lake Erie with 22 pounds.
Aaron Martens sits in second place after the first day of fishing on Lake Erie with 22 pounds.
Kevin Short is in 50th place after Day One of the Empire Chase with 14 pounds, 14 ounces. The field of anglers will be cut to 50 after Day Two.
Kevin Short is in 50th place after Day One of the Empire Chase with 14 pounds, 14 ounces. The field of anglers will be cut to 50 after Day Two.
Aaron Martens shows the crowd two of his better fish on Day One.
Aaron Martens shows the crowd two of his better fish on Day One.
Alton Jones Jr. held the co-angler lead midway through the Day One weigh-in before sliding back to 10th place with 11 pounds, 10 ounces. As a conservation measure, co-anglers are only allowed to weigh three fish each day.
Alton Jones Jr. held the co-angler lead midway through the Day One weigh-in before sliding back to 10th place with 11 pounds, 10 ounces. As a conservation measure, co-anglers are only allowed to weigh three fish each day.
A soaking wet Brian Clark peels off his rain gear before the weigh-in. Clark, a former professional bull rider, said he would rather ride a bull any day, then face the waves on Lake Erie.
A soaking wet Brian Clark peels off his rain gear before the weigh-in. Clark, a former professional bull rider, said he would rather ride a bull any day, then face the waves on Lake Erie.
A flight of anglers waits backstage to weigh their fish at the end of Day One of the Empire Chase presented by Farmer's Insurance.
A flight of anglers waits backstage to weigh their fish at the end of Day One of the Empire Chase presented by Farmer’s Insurance.
Co-angler Marcos Malucelli is chronicling his co-angler experience with a video camera during the Empire Chase. Malucelli is in third place on the co-angler side of the tournament with 12 pounds, 11 ounces.
Co-angler Marcos Malucelli is chronicling his co-angler experience with a video camera during the Empire Chase. Malucelli is in third place on the co-angler side of the tournament with 12 pounds, 11 ounces.
South Dakota's Jami Fralick has a lot of experience catching smallmouth bass from northern waters, but finished Day One tied for 47th place with 15 pounds, 3 ounces.
South Dakota’s Jami Fralick has a lot of experience catching smallmouth bass from northern waters, but finished Day One tied for 47th place with 15 pounds, 3 ounces.
Matt Reed, with the Day One Purolator Big Bass weighing 5 pounds, 10 ounces, has taken the overall lead with 23 pounds, 3 ounces.
Matt Reed, with the Day One Purolator Big Bass weighing 5 pounds, 10 ounces, has taken the overall lead with 23 pounds, 3 ounces.
Day One leader Matt Reed brings his fish to the bump table and BASS official Max Leatherwood places them in a final weigh-in bag.
Day One leader Matt Reed brings his fish to the bump table and BASS official Max Leatherwood places them in a final weigh-in bag.
The 'bump table' that every fisherman must bring his fish to at the end of the day, is now dedicated to the memory of former BASS official Chris Bath. Bath died tragically of a heart attack earlier in the year while working the BASS event on Lake Murray.
The ‘bump table’ that every fisherman must bring his fish to at the end of the day, is now dedicated to the memory of former BASS official Chris Bath. Bath died tragically of a heart attack earlier in the year while working the BASS event on Lake Murray.
Mike Wurm signed autographs after weighing in on Day One. Wurm is currently in 55th place with 14 pounds, 7 ounces.
Mike Wurm signed autographs after weighing in on Day One. Wurm is currently in 55th place with 14 pounds, 7 ounces.