2009 Diamond Drive – Day One – Launch

The first day of competition on the Arkansas River got off to a slow start, with a three hour fog delay. Follow the 2009 Elite Series anglers as they launch their boats.

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Anglers begin to arrive at the Dardanelle State Park for the Day One launch of the Toyota Trucks Diamond Drive.
Anglers begin to arrive at the Dardanelle State Park for the Day One launch of the Toyota Trucks Diamond Drive.
As launch time approached, it was evident morning fog could delay the Day One launch.
As launch time approached, it was evident morning fog could delay the Day One launch.
Charlie Hartley tweaked his fishing gear while waiting to launch on Day One.
Charlie Hartley tweaked his fishing gear while waiting to launch on Day One.
Kelly Jordon was one of the last boats to launch, but he and the rest of the field would have to wait out a fog delay.
Kelly Jordon was one of the last boats to launch, but he and the rest of the field would have to wait out a fog delay.
Competitors milled around the launch area, waiting on the fog to clear.
Competitors milled around the launch area, waiting on the fog to clear.
As the sun began to rise, the fog only got thicker.
As the sun began to rise, the fog only got thicker.
Scott Rook is using an aluminum boat this week to access very shallow backwater areas in Lake Dardanelle.
Scott Rook is using an aluminum boat this week to access very shallow backwater areas in Lake Dardanelle.
Todd Faircloth's boat is barely visible as the fog thickens.
Todd Faircloth’s boat is barely visible as the fog thickens.
Mike Iaconelli takes a look at his watch as the launch delay nears two hours.
Mike Iaconelli takes a look at his watch as the launch delay nears two hours.
Anglers listen as BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon announces the fog delay will continue.
Anglers listen as BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon announces the fog delay will continue.
Boats were in position to go, but the fog lingered for more than three hours.
Boats were in position to go, but the fog lingered for more than three hours.
BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon jumps in a boat to assess the visibility on the main river channel.
BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon jumps in a boat to assess the visibility on the main river channel.
Not only did the field of anglers wait out the fog delay, spectators who had come to watch the morning launch waited impatiently for Day One to get underway.
Not only did the field of anglers wait out the fog delay, spectators who had come to watch the morning launch waited impatiently for Day One to get underway.
Cameras were at the ready and waiting for the fog to lift.
Cameras were at the ready and waiting for the fog to lift.
The morning sun tries to burn off the fog lingering over Dardanelle State Park.
The morning sun tries to burn off the fog lingering over Dardanelle State Park.
Elite Series anglers, their Marshals, and spectators wait for the Day One launch to begin.
Elite Series anglers, their Marshals, and spectators wait for the Day One launch to begin.
At times visibility was only a few hundred feet.
At times visibility was only a few hundred feet.
It was a morning fit for a duck or a goose.
It was a morning fit for a duck or a goose.
Rob Russow and Keith Alan did the first
Rob Russow and Keith Alan did the first “Hooked Up” – Update, at 9:00 a.m. CST, while the anglers had yet to leave the launch area.
Senior Tournament Manager Chuck Harbin and BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon make another assessment of lake conditions. The delay continued.
Senior Tournament Manager Chuck Harbin and BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon make another assessment of lake conditions. The delay continued.
Bobby and Chris Lane called home while waiting to begin Day One.
Bobby and Chris Lane called home while waiting to begin Day One.
Paul Elias caught a quick nap as the fog delay reached nearly three hours.
Paul Elias caught a quick nap as the fog delay reached nearly three hours.
Marshal Tom Yerby couldn't take any more excitement.
Marshal Tom Yerby couldn’t take any more excitement.
The national anthem is played, as Day One finally moved forward.
The national anthem is played, as Day One finally moved forward.
After a delay of 3 hours, 7 minutes, Luke Gritter leads the Elite Series field onto Lake Dardanelle for the start of the Toyota Trucks Diamond Drive.
After a delay of 3 hours, 7 minutes, Luke Gritter leads the Elite Series field onto Lake Dardanelle for the start of the Toyota Trucks Diamond Drive.
Skeet Reese moves past the livewell check to begin his day on Lake Dardanelle.
Skeet Reese moves past the livewell check to begin his day on Lake Dardanelle.
Takahiro Omori leads a flight of boats from the launch area.
Takahiro Omori leads a flight of boats from the launch area.
The first flight moves from the no-wake area to begin Day One of the Toyota Trucks Diamond Drive.
The first flight moves from the no-wake area to begin Day One of the Toyota Trucks Diamond Drive.
With a delay of more than three hours, anglers will have to do their work more quickly. The first flight is due back to Dardanelle State Park at 3:50 p.m. CST.
With a delay of more than three hours, anglers will have to do their work more quickly. The first flight is due back to Dardanelle State Park at 3:50 p.m. CST.
Ish Monroe demonstrates his kill-switch is functional.
Ish Monroe demonstrates his kill-switch is functional.
Local favorite Kevin Short idles towards his launch time.
Local favorite Kevin Short idles towards his launch time.
Jon Bondy takes his hole shot as he enters the main channel of the Lake Dardanelle.
Jon Bondy takes his hole shot as he enters the main channel of the Lake Dardanelle.
Shaw Grigsby banks hard to clear a wing dam protecting the launch area from the Arkansas River.
Shaw Grigsby banks hard to clear a wing dam protecting the launch area from the Arkansas River.