Day One on Dardanelle

The first day on the water for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

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A little foggy this morning on Dardanelle.
A little foggy this morning on Dardanelle.
The fog didn’t last long.
The fog didn’t last long.
Joe Cole makes a cast early on day one.
Joe Cole makes a cast early on day one.
Most anglers started the morning off pitching to shoreline vegetation.
Most anglers started the morning off pitching to shoreline vegetation.
The local locomotives were rambling down the tracks around Dardanelle.
The local locomotives were rambling down the tracks around Dardanelle.
A few anglers opted to fish a little deeper.
A few anglers opted to fish a little deeper.
This Nation angler fires a long cast early on day one.
This Nation angler fires a long cast early on day one.
More grinding the shallows for Phil Curtis of Canada.
More grinding the shallows for Phil Curtis of Canada.
Shout out to H.J. and my other brothers.
Shout out to H.J. and my other brothers.
Shinichiro Tsuchiya represents country of Japan in the Nation Championship this week.
Shinichiro Tsuchiya represents country of Japan in the Nation Championship this week.
Shinichiro is a long way from home, and at the same time right at home on the front deck of a bass boat.
Shinichiro is a long way from home, and at the same time right at home on the front deck of a bass boat.
More flipping the shallows throughout most of the morning.
More flipping the shallows throughout most of the morning.
While most anglers focused on the deeper grass lines, a few worked their way super shallow.
While most anglers focused on the deeper grass lines, a few worked their way super shallow.
Ron Ryals was all smiles when we found him this morning.
Ron Ryals was all smiles when we found him this morning.
Ron had already boated a nice fish near 3-pounds.
Ron had already boated a nice fish near 3-pounds.
Jim Severson sticks a nice fish in the grass.
Jim Severson sticks a nice fish in the grass.
As the fish makes its way out, Jim fights to keep it down.
As the fish makes its way out, Jim fights to keep it down.
Now it’s time to come back up.
Now it’s time to come back up.
That moment where time stops.
That moment where time stops.
Almost there…
Almost there…
In the boat.
In the boat.
A quick grin from Jim as he loads his second keeper into the well.
A quick grin from Jim as he loads his second keeper into the well.
Ryan Lavigne was one of the few anglers working offshore on day one.
Ryan Lavigne was one of the few anglers working offshore on day one.
Keep tension on the line, the bite’s subtle this week.
Keep tension on the line, the bite’s subtle this week.
Ryan fires a jig.
Ryan fires a jig.
Another fine cast.
Another fine cast.
The Louisiana angler swaps to a crankbait.
The Louisiana angler swaps to a crankbait.
The crankbait finds a rock but his lure retriever saves the day.
The crankbait finds a rock but his lure retriever saves the day.
Jason Vaughn looks for his second keeper.
Jason Vaughn looks for his second keeper.
Only one so far for Jim Barczak.
Only one so far for Jim Barczak.
Barczak fires a cast.
Barczak fires a cast.
The fish should start eating any minute now.
The fish should start eating any minute now.