Day Two launch on Mighty Miss

Storms forced a delayed start to Day Two of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble presented by Power-Pole, and the Elite Series anglers definitely were eager to hit the water.

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<p>Sunrise is at 5:30 a.m. in La Crosse, but it looked like night during the thunderstorm that hit as the Elite Series anglers arrived for Day Two of the Mississippi River Rumble, where the thunder was definitely rumbling.</p>
Sunrise is at 5:30 a.m. in La Crosse, but it looked like night during the thunderstorm that hit as the Elite Series anglers arrived for Day Two of the Mississippi River Rumble, where the thunder was definitely rumbling.
<p>Bobby Lane enjoyed a brief dry spell under the protective cover of the convenience store where he filled his gas tanks and grabbed some snacks before going to the Veterans Freedom Park launch site.</p>
Bobby Lane enjoyed a brief dry spell under the protective cover of the convenience store where he filled his gas tanks and grabbed some snacks before going to the Veterans Freedom Park launch site.
<p>Wind gusts were reportedly over 50 miles per hour at times, and it took all hands on tent to prevent the Mercury tent from collapsing in a heap.</p>
Wind gusts were reportedly over 50 miles per hour at times, and it took all hands on tent to prevent the Mercury tent from collapsing in a heap.
<p>If you didn't already know that port-a-potties aren't safe places to be in a storm, here's proof. There were no reports of casualties here.</p>
If you didn’t already know that port-a-potties aren’t safe places to be in a storm, here’s proof. There were no reports of casualties here.
<p>This was the most common site at Veteran's Freedom Park – whether in the parking lot or on the water – a boat's bilge pump working hard.</p>
This was the most common site at Veteran’s Freedom Park – whether in the parking lot or on the water – a boat’s bilge pump working hard.
<p>Camera man Rick Mason, with a GoPro on a PVC pole, gets a close view of Edwin Evers' boat bilge stream.</p>
Camera man Rick Mason, with a GoPro on a PVC pole, gets a close view of Edwin Evers’ boat bilge stream.
<p>A couple of fans used the delayed launch time (8 a.m. instead of 6:30) to visit with Mike Iaconelli and his son, Vegas.</p>
A couple of fans used the delayed launch time (8 a.m. instead of 6:30) to visit with Mike Iaconelli and his son, Vegas.
<p>Skeet Reese, shrouded in rain gear, visits with his Marshal as he waits for Friday's launch.</p>
Skeet Reese, shrouded in rain gear, visits with his Marshal as he waits for Friday’s launch.
<p>Day One leader Brandon Palaniuk does a BASSCam interview with emcee Dave Mercer as Jim Sexton records it.</p>
Day One leader Brandon Palaniuk does a BASSCam interview with emcee Dave Mercer as Jim Sexton records it.
<p>At least it's summer, so cold hands and feet aren't a concern. Brandon Palanuik is all smiles and otherwise covered in rain gear as he prepares for launch.</p>
At least it’s summer, so cold hands and feet aren’t a concern. Brandon Palanuik is all smiles and otherwise covered in rain gear as he prepares for launch.
<p>Photographer Seigo Seito used the protection of an umbrella to shoot photos and keep his camera dry.</p>
Photographer Seigo Seito used the protection of an umbrella to shoot photos and keep his camera dry.
<p>Dennis Tietje, with the new start time announced, starts removing rods from his boat locker.</p>
Dennis Tietje, with the new start time announced, starts removing rods from his boat locker.
<p>The storm didn't keep all the fans away. A few gathered for photos in Veteran's Park prior to the national anthem. The weather was, uh, just ducky.</p>
The storm didn’t keep all the fans away. A few gathered for photos in Veteran’s Park prior to the national anthem. The weather was, uh, just ducky.
<p>As the rain continued to lighten, a few more fans got out of their vehicles to snap last-minute photos.</p>
As the rain continued to lighten, a few more fans got out of their vehicles to snap last-minute photos.
<p>The Clinton Street bridge became a popular rain shelter for Elite Series anglers who didn't have to be in line with the first boats to start. </p>
The Clinton Street bridge became a popular rain shelter for Elite Series anglers who didn’t have to be in line with the first boats to start. 
<p>Tournament director Chris Bowes supervises as the day finally gets underway. It will be a shortened one, as check-in times remain as originally scheduled. First flight anglers are due in at 3 p.m.</p>
Tournament director Chris Bowes supervises as the day finally gets underway. It will be a shortened one, as check-in times remain as originally scheduled. First flight anglers are due in at 3 p.m.