College national champs visit JM Associates

The stage was set for the arrival of the 2012 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship winners at the JM Associates office in Little Rock, Ark.

B.A.S.S. co-owner Jerry McKinnis surprised Zack Birge of Oklahoma State University with a mock-up of the September issue of the B.A.S.S. Times cover. Birge and his teammate did not know they would be on the cover.

Blake Flurry looks at the mock-up of the cover and enjoys knowing it will hit mailboxes everywhere in about a week.

Flurry and Birge take the stage to begin filming an episode of Livewell.

The pair get microphones added for the Livewell segment.

The camera man gets in position as emcee Tommy Sanders prepares to start the show.

Birge and Flurry got a special cake with OSU's mascot, Pistol Pete, on it.

Jerry McKinnis entertains staff members as he prepares to introduce the national champs for a meet-and-greet.

McKinnis talks to Birge and Flurry in front of the group.

Birge and Flurry chat with McKinnis while enjoying their cake.

JM Associates staff members dressed in their favorite college gear to welcome the OSU team. Some, like Gena Hatley Cole, sported spiffy Razorbacks shoes.

JM staff members spend time with Birge and Flurry.

Flurry and Birge pose on the Livewell stage with Carey Barrett, Brian Mason and Jake Kelso of JM Associates.

Several JM staff members participated in the meet-and-greet and wore their favorite college colors.

In the heart of Little Rock, it's hard to find football lovers who aren't Arkansas Razorbacks fans.

After the Livewell taping and meet-and-greet, Flurry and Birge participated in a Twitter chat. B.A.S.S. social media editor Tyler Reed moderated. You can read the full transcript here.

Flurry plans his answer to a Twitter question.

Birge contemplates which lures he was using to win the championship so he can answer a Twitter follower.

A "B.A.S.S. Studios" signs greets visitors on the third floor of the JM offices, where countless hours of Bassmaster Elite Series footage is edited. Birge and Flurry got a full, personalized tour by Mike McKinnis, vice president of television and video.

The back of Flurry's jersey shows off this college fishing team's logo, with mascot Pistol Pete lipping a bass.

Flurry talks with Tommy Sanders while the two eat pizza.

The JM staff, Tommy Sanders and the college champs all gathered for lunch.

Blake Flurry signed autographs for staff members.

Zack Birge stayed busy signing photos of himself and Flurry on the water.

Flurry signs his autograph for Christie Kratz, a graphic designer at JM.

As Flurry and Birge finish signing autographs, Jerry McKinnis joins them to deliver some words of wisdom.

The Oklahoma State anglers gather in the lobby with McKinnis just before they leave.

McKinnis gives Birge a hearty handshake before his departure.

Flurry and Birge spend time with Hank Weldon, director of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series.