Eastern Divisional: On the water

Day 2 has been less productive for many competitors, but one -- Doug Brownridge -- is catching 'em just as well as he did when he led on Day 1.

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Ricky Turczak of Massachusetts and Bill Kuslaka of New Hampshire didn’t have much by 9:30 this morning on the St. Lawrence River.
Ricky Turczak of Massachusetts and Bill Kuslaka of New Hampshire didn’t have much by 9:30 this morning on the St. Lawrence River.
The pair have three in the boat, so at least they’ll cross the Day 2 weigh-in stage at the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.
The pair have three in the boat, so at least they’ll cross the Day 2 weigh-in stage at the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.
The weather was warmer at launch today than yesterday, but it’s been cooler during the day by nearly 10 degrees. Some anglers are not getting the bites they were 24 hours ago.
The weather was warmer at launch today than yesterday, but it’s been cooler during the day by nearly 10 degrees. Some anglers are not getting the bites they were 24 hours ago.
Turczak and Kuslaka are off for their next spot.
Turczak and Kuslaka are off for their next spot.
Peter Knight of New York and John Lamour are in quick driving distance of where Turczak and Kuslaka left off.
Peter Knight of New York and John Lamour are in quick driving distance of where Turczak and Kuslaka left off.
Knight is fishless so far.
Knight is fishless so far.
Lamour has two in the boat, and they’re both 4-pounders or better.
Lamour has two in the boat, and they’re both 4-pounders or better.
Steven Conde of Rhode Island and Chris O’Brien of New York have three in the boat.
Steven Conde of Rhode Island and Chris O’Brien of New York have three in the boat.
Two of them came at 10 a.m. on their first pass across this stretch, so they’re going down it again.
Two of them came at 10 a.m. on their first pass across this stretch, so they’re going down it again.
They work quietly. Both anglers have a lot of work to do to climb to the top of their respective states.
They work quietly. Both anglers have a lot of work to do to climb to the top of their respective states.
Meanwhile, Randy Lamanche of New York and Eloy Fernandez Jofre of Spain pass by.
Meanwhile, Randy Lamanche of New York and Eloy Fernandez Jofre of Spain pass by.
They settle over near the bank.
They settle over near the bank.
This time yesterday, Lamanche already had 19 pounds. Right now he has “zip, zero,” he says. “It’s a terrible day.”
This time yesterday, Lamanche already had 19 pounds. Right now he has “zip, zero,” he says. “It’s a terrible day.”
Jofre has one that he caught in the spot Lamanche counted on yesterday.
Jofre has one that he caught in the spot Lamanche counted on yesterday.
“I thought the wind would help me out today,” said Lamanche, “but it hasn’t.”
“I thought the wind would help me out today,” said Lamanche, “but it hasn’t.”
Jofre gets a bite.
Jofre gets a bite.
Lamanche scrambles for the net.
Lamanche scrambles for the net.
Jofre plays the fish. The Spain team enjoys catching smallmouth; they don’t have them in Spain.
Jofre plays the fish. The Spain team enjoys catching smallmouth; they don’t have them in Spain.
Jofre pulls it up, Lamanche goes in for the scoop …
Jofre pulls it up, Lamanche goes in for the scoop …
… and their work here is done. A high five works in any language.
… and their work here is done. A high five works in any language.
Jofre unhooks the bass …
Jofre unhooks the bass …
… and now he’s definitely got something to smile about. Lamanche calls it a Spanish smackdown.
… and now he’s definitely got something to smile about. Lamanche calls it a Spanish smackdown.
Day 1 leader Doug Brownridge has them again today. When we pull up, he’s putting another in his livewell.
Day 1 leader Doug Brownridge has them again today. When we pull up, he’s putting another in his livewell.
Brownridge estimates he has 21 pounds so far. He is extremely pleased with his day so far.
Brownridge estimates he has 21 pounds so far. He is extremely pleased with his day so far.
His co-angler, Michael McNamara of New Hampshire, has one in the boat, and it’s a good one. Brownridge called it a 5 1/2-pound stud.
His co-angler, Michael McNamara of New Hampshire, has one in the boat, and it’s a good one. Brownridge called it a 5 1/2-pound stud.
Brownridge has another one …
Brownridge has another one …
… McNamara gets the net …
… McNamara gets the net …
… and just like that, it’s gone.
… and just like that, it’s gone.
“My turn,” says McNamara. He casts to the same spot. Brownridge is done fishing for the day. He has what he needs, and now he’s just helping his co-angler.
“My turn,” says McNamara. He casts to the same spot. Brownridge is done fishing for the day. He has what he needs, and now he’s just helping his co-angler.
McNamara looks for the fish, doesn’t find it, and the happy pair move on to another spot.
McNamara looks for the fish, doesn’t find it, and the happy pair move on to another spot.