Day 1: Behind the scenes

Couldn't make it to Sacramento? We've got you covered with all the backstage action on Day 1. More photos to come!

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Elite anglers make their way to check in on Day 1, while Micah Frazier (foreground) gets a few final casts in before getting to the check-in point.
Elite anglers make their way to check in on Day 1, while Micah Frazier (foreground) gets a few final casts in before getting to the check-in point.
California Fish and Game Commission personnel separate the bigger fish from the small ones after they have been weighed.
California Fish and Game Commission personnel separate the bigger fish from the small ones after they have been weighed.
Fans watch at the top of a hill as Elite anglers check in and load their boats.
Fans watch at the top of a hill as Elite anglers check in and load their boats.
Byron Velvick and Ish Monroe discuss the day’s fishing while waiting to load.
Byron Velvick and Ish Monroe discuss the day’s fishing while waiting to load.
Jared Lintner puts his boat on the trailer.
Jared Lintner puts his boat on the trailer.
This is the first time you will ever see Morizo Shimizu without a smile on his face, although it’s a good bet he’s smiling under his face cover.
This is the first time you will ever see Morizo Shimizu without a smile on his face, although it’s a good bet he’s smiling under his face cover.
The third flight makes their way up the Sacramento River to check in.
The third flight makes their way up the Sacramento River to check in.
Cliff Crochet scratches his head while Chris Zaldain gets a hug in the background.
Cliff Crochet scratches his head while Chris Zaldain gets a hug in the background.
Zaldain has to move his 12-pounder for Max Leatherwood to get a glimpse of the rest of his stringer.
Zaldain has to move his 12-pounder for Max Leatherwood to get a glimpse of the rest of his stringer.
Zaldain is beaming as walks from the holding tanks to the weigh-in stage.
Zaldain is beaming as walks from the holding tanks to the weigh-in stage.
After taking the lead, Zaldain gives a fist pump.
After taking the lead, Zaldain gives a fist pump.
Then with help from Dave Mercer shows off his two largest fish.
Then with help from Dave Mercer shows off his two largest fish.
A quick pose before weighing for big bass of the day.
A quick pose before weighing for big bass of the day.
Anglers file in for the Day 1 weigh-in from the Sacramento River.
Anglers file in for the Day 1 weigh-in from the Sacramento River.
Timmy Horton backs down his truck to load up his Nitro.
Timmy Horton backs down his truck to load up his Nitro.
Todd Faircloth heads to his truck.
Todd Faircloth heads to his truck.
Keith Combs gets interviewed after weighing in 24-13 on Day 1.
Keith Combs gets interviewed after weighing in 24-13 on Day 1.
I’d say Combs had a real good day, after all he is sitting in 3rd place.
I’d say Combs had a real good day, after all he is sitting in 3rd place.
Justin Lucas loads up his Phoenix.
Justin Lucas loads up his Phoenix.
More anglers arrive at the dock.
More anglers arrive at the dock.
Edwin Evers loads up.
Edwin Evers loads up.
Ken Iyobe and Tommy Biffle made it back to the dock. They both had great days on the water.
Ken Iyobe and Tommy Biffle made it back to the dock. They both had great days on the water.
Biffle caught 20-13 and is in 13th place.
Biffle caught 20-13 and is in 13th place.
Dennis Tietje directs his marshal into position.
Dennis Tietje directs his marshal into position.
Jonathon VanDam loads up the boat.
Jonathon VanDam loads up the boat.
Judging tidal waters can be difficult and make for a tough day.
Judging tidal waters can be difficult and make for a tough day.
Shaye Baker removes Justin Lucas’ GoPro. Lucas is tied for 8th so there has to be some good footage on there.
Shaye Baker removes Justin Lucas’ GoPro. Lucas is tied for 8th so there has to be some good footage on there.
Rookie Brandon Coulter puts it on the trailer…
Rookie Brandon Coulter puts it on the trailer…
…while Davy Hite backs down his truck.
…while Davy Hite backs down his truck.
Not sure if that boat can make it into the tiny launch cove.
Not sure if that boat can make it into the tiny launch cove.
Byron Velvick and Ish Monroe—Two California anglers chat after their Day 1.
Byron Velvick and Ish Monroe—Two California anglers chat after their Day 1.
Jared Lintner certainly knows this fishery well.
Jared Lintner certainly knows this fishery well.
A drone captures all the action from above.
A drone captures all the action from above.
Drones give us a different perspective than ever before.
Drones give us a different perspective than ever before.
Tommy Biffle stores his rods while waiting.
Tommy Biffle stores his rods while waiting.
So does Skeet Reese. Reese caught them well on Day 1. He’s in 2nd place.
So does Skeet Reese. Reese caught them well on Day 1. He’s in 2nd place.
Brett Hite was a common pick for this event on Fantasy Fishing.
Brett Hite was a common pick for this event on Fantasy Fishing.
Rookie David Williams loads up his Ranger.
Rookie David Williams loads up his Ranger.
Jason Christie signs autographs for fans backstage.
Jason Christie signs autographs for fans backstage.
Anglers are at the tanks!
Anglers are at the tanks!
Brandon Lester rigs up for Day 2 while waiting for the line to go down.
Brandon Lester rigs up for Day 2 while waiting for the line to go down.
Making sure your tackle is A-OK is very important.
Making sure your tackle is A-OK is very important.
With how big these fish are in the Delta, retying is a must.
With how big these fish are in the Delta, retying is a must.
Rookie Ken Iyobe wants to show off something.
Rookie Ken Iyobe wants to show off something.
Uh oh…
Uh oh…
GIANT California Delta bass.
GIANT California Delta bass.
His second biggest, which he thinks was 6 or 7 pounds, pales in comparison.
His second biggest, which he thinks was 6 or 7 pounds, pales in comparison.
His second biggest, which he thinks was 6 or 7 pounds, pales in comparison.
His second biggest, which he thinks was 6 or 7 pounds, pales in comparison.
Brian Snowden’s up next to weigh-in.
Brian Snowden’s up next to weigh-in.
Anglers chat about how they did today.
Anglers chat about how they did today.
Mixed emotions as many anglers are happy and many are bummed.
Mixed emotions as many anglers are happy and many are bummed.
Fred Roumbanis knows this fishery well. He is just outside the cut line.
Fred Roumbanis knows this fishery well. He is just outside the cut line.
Mark Davis and David Williams have a conversation just before heading up to weigh-in.
Mark Davis and David Williams have a conversation just before heading up to weigh-in.