Day One launch on the Mississippi

The Elites head out on the first day of the 2013 Mississippi River Rumble.

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<p>Todd Faircloth prepares to take off for Day One of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble. Faircloth won the event here last season.</p>
Todd Faircloth prepares to take off for Day One of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble. Faircloth won the event here last season.
<p>Stephen Browning, one of the top river anglers on the tour, launches his boat early Thursday.</p>
Stephen Browning, one of the top river anglers on the tour, launches his boat early Thursday.
<p>Cliff Crochet cranes his neck from the cab of his truck as he backs down the ramp.</p>
Cliff Crochet cranes his neck from the cab of his truck as he backs down the ramp.
<p>Edwin Evers is interviewed by the local media prior to the start of Day One. Evers is the current leader of the Toyota Angler of the Year Race.</p>
Edwin Evers is interviewed by the local media prior to the start of Day One. Evers is the current leader of the Toyota Angler of the Year Race.
<p>Elite anglers line the bank waiting for the start of Day One of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble.</p>
Elite anglers line the bank waiting for the start of Day One of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble.
<p>A bridge nearby the take off is a perfect perch for spectators to watch the take off.</p>
A bridge nearby the take off is a perfect perch for spectators to watch the take off.
<p>Keith Combs gets an early-morning boost of caffeine.</p>
Keith Combs gets an early-morning boost of caffeine.
<p>Michael Iaconelli flashes a thumbs up to fans watching the take off.</p>
Michael Iaconelli flashes a thumbs up to fans watching the take off.
<p>Iaconelli and his son Vegas spend some quality time prior to the take off.</p>
Iaconelli and his son Vegas spend some quality time prior to the take off.
<p>Mike McClelland signals his truck driver to come back just a little more during the launch Thursday.</p>
Mike McClelland signals his truck driver to come back just a little more during the launch Thursday.
<p>Britt Myers (foreground) and Brent Chapman prepare their tackle prior to the start of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble.</p>
Britt Myers (foreground) and Brent Chapman prepare their tackle prior to the start of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble.
<p>Takahiro Omori (foreground) passes Yusuki Mysaki as the two get ready for Day One.</p>
Takahiro Omori (foreground) passes Yusuki Mysaki as the two get ready for Day One.
<p>Elite anglers jockey their boat into position for Day One.</p>
Elite anglers jockey their boat into position for Day One.
<p>Shaw Grigsby and Scott Ashmore visit while waiting for the start.</p>
Shaw Grigsby and Scott Ashmore visit while waiting for the start.
<p>Gerald Swindle watches behind him as he moves off the ramp Thursday morning.</p>
Gerald Swindle watches behind him as he moves off the ramp Thursday morning.
<p>Elite Series tournament personnel and anglers stand at attention for the playing of the National Anthem.</p>
Elite Series tournament personnel and anglers stand at attention for the playing of the National Anthem.
<p>Russ Lane is the first boat to leave.</p>
Russ Lane is the first boat to leave.
<p>As anglers pass the check-out dock they receive a check-in buoy.</p>
As anglers pass the check-out dock they receive a check-in buoy.
<p>Jason Williamson catches his check-in buoy as he idles past the check-out dock.</p>
Jason Williamson catches his check-in buoy as he idles past the check-out dock.
<p>Kevin VanDam prepares to go through the check-out process.</p>
Kevin VanDam prepares to go through the check-out process.
<p>Shaye Baker captures the action as Edwin Evers idles through the check-out.</p>
Shaye Baker captures the action as Edwin Evers idles through the check-out.
<p>As boats leave the check-out area, the last flight sits on the bank waiting for their turn.</p>
As boats leave the check-out area, the last flight sits on the bank waiting for their turn.