2010 Northern Open #3 - Day Three - On The Water

Nate Wellman fights a bass to the side of his boat on the final day of the last Bass Pro Shops Northern Open of the year, an event he has led since Day One.

Wellman gets off to an early start with another nice bass.

Wellman gives the camera a better look at a healthy Upper Chesapeake bass.

J Todd Tucker and Wellman have been fishing in sight of each other all week. Tucker makes a move down the Bay early.

Wellman has been concentrating on scattered cover on a flat within eyesight of the take-off.

The last two days he has had to slow his presentation following a front that moved through on Day One of competition.

It isn't long before Wellman's Day Three co-angler, Michael Machmer, is back to work with the net as Wellman hooks up with another nice bass.

Using light tackle makes landing a large bass a meticulous feat.

Wellman lays his hands on a bass that will help him come closer to closing the door on the final Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open.

A closer look at a very good Chesapeake Bay bass.

Wellman heads to the live well early on Day Three and said he had not had this much weight this early on the previous two days.

Wellman does his best to shake off the adrenaline after the catch.

Recomposed, Wellman goes back to work hauling in another bass that gives him fits at the side of the boat.

His smallest bass thus far, but it pushes him even farther up in weight as he works toward a limit.

Wellman just can't believe how well his final day is going.

Another Upper Chesapeake bass goes on a tear at the side of the boat, stripping light line from the spool.

Pro Nate Wellman is overcome with emotion as he lays eyes on another large bass, bringing him to his limit of five fish, a feat he had not accomplished before noon on the two prior days.

He takes another good look as he heads to the livewell.

After filling the well with a limit he collapses across the seats and lays his head on the livewells.

Wellman continues to celebrate and can finally relax, knowing he has plenty of time to cull his smallest fish, one he estimates is a two pounder.

If body language says anything about one's state of mind, Wellman is in a good place. It's not over until all the fish from the top 30 are weighed, but Wellman feels good about his chances.