Elites duke it out Day 1

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After taking a look in the first creek we came to, we noticed several anglers fishing close to one another, including Jay Brainard and Josh Bertrand.
After taking a look in the first creek we came to, we noticed several anglers fishing close to one another, including Jay Brainard and Josh Bertrand.
But across the way it was Boyd Duckett...
But across the way it was Boyd Duckett…
...making long casts...
…making long casts…
...that would show us the first fish catch of the day.
…that would show us the first fish catch of the day.
But this was a fish that Duckett would size up, then release.
But this was a fish that Duckett would size up, then release.
A couple hundred yards from Duckett we saw four Elite Series competitors sharing a stretch of water.
A couple hundred yards from Duckett we saw four Elite Series competitors sharing a stretch of water.
But it was Duckett that was doing any fish catches within sight of our camera.
But it was Duckett that was doing any fish catches within sight of our camera.
Duckett boats his first keeper fish of the day.
Duckett boats his first keeper fish of the day.
Nearby, Drew Benton was firing cast after cast into the morning sun...
Nearby, Drew Benton was firing cast after cast into the morning sun…
...and the backlit water being spun from his line hung in the air...
…and the backlit water being spun from his line hung in the air…
...and spun from his reel.
…and spun from his reel.
J. Todd Tucker moved into the area, shielding his eyes from the sun.
J. Todd Tucker moved into the area, shielding his eyes from the sun.
He stopped to fish a point near Boyd Duckett.
He stopped to fish a point near Boyd Duckett.
Drew Benton paid little attention to the other boats around him...
Drew Benton paid little attention to the other boats around him…
...continuing to make casts he hoped would provide his first bite of the day.
…continuing to make casts he hoped would provide his first bite of the day.
Within sight of Benton was Jordan Lee using a variety of techniques, both casting moving baits...
Within sight of Benton was Jordan Lee using a variety of techniques, both casting moving baits…
...and pitching drop baits.
…and pitching drop baits.
Dave Lefebre has good history on the Potomac River...
Dave Lefebre has good history on the Potomac River…
...but it was Kelly Jordon we would see catch the next fish.
…but it was Kelly Jordon we would see catch the next fish.
The 2006 champion on the Potomac River brings a keeper fish to the boat...
The 2006 champion on the Potomac River brings a keeper fish to the boat…
...then swings it over the gunwale of the boat.
…then swings it over the gunwale of the boat.
Lefebre gave up on the area and made a move.
Lefebre gave up on the area and made a move.
Clent Davis hooks up with a fish that jumped several times on the way to the boat...
Clent Davis hooks up with a fish that jumped several times on the way to the boat…
before Davis ended the fight...
before Davis ended the fight…
...by swinging the fish into the boat...
…by swinging the fish into the boat…
...then into the live well.
…then into the live well.
Mike McClelland makes a move from a shallow flat, and looks back to make sure he has enough water under the prop to take his hole shot.
Mike McClelland makes a move from a shallow flat, and looks back to make sure he has enough water under the prop to take his hole shot.
When we caught up with Randall Tharp he had his flipping stick out...
When we caught up with Randall Tharp he had his flipping stick out…
...and was making good use of it by putting together an early limit of fish.
…and was making good use of it by putting together an early limit of fish.
He fought this fish to the boat...
He fought this fish to the boat…
...reached for leverage on his rod...
…reached for leverage on his rod…
...before snatching the fish from the water...
…before snatching the fish from the water…
...lowering it into the floor...
…lowering it into the floor…
...then celebrating his catch with a shout and a fist pump.
…then celebrating his catch with a shout and a fist pump.
He allowed his Marshal a quick photo opportunity...
He allowed his Marshal a quick photo opportunity…
...then made a nice cull.
…then made a nice cull.
At the end of the day Randall Tharp was in 11th place with 14 pounds, 12 ounces.
At the end of the day Randall Tharp was in 11th place with 14 pounds, 12 ounces.
There are some long idles to the back of some of the backwater areas on the Potomac River.
There are some long idles to the back of some of the backwater areas on the Potomac River.
Bobby Lane had a good Day One, and is in 4th place with 17 pounds, 4 ounces.
Bobby Lane had a good Day One, and is in 4th place with 17 pounds, 4 ounces.
Gary Klein fishes in the foreground while Cliff Pace moves around behind him.
Gary Klein fishes in the foreground while Cliff Pace moves around behind him.
Bobby Lane rears back to make a long cast...
Bobby Lane rears back to make a long cast…
...that resulted in the only snakehead catch we got on camera today.
…that resulted in the only snakehead catch we got on camera today.
Lane eased the snakehead back into the water.
Lane eased the snakehead back into the water.
Brett Hite came speeding into the area Bobby Lane was fishing...
Brett Hite came speeding into the area Bobby Lane was fishing…
...and the two visited while they fished.
…and the two visited while they fished.
David Walker reported he had an early limit of fish in the live well.
David Walker reported he had an early limit of fish in the live well.
He and Josh Bertrand were sharing water when we caught up with them.
He and Josh Bertrand were sharing water when we caught up with them.
Dennis Tietje takes a look at his graph for the next waypoint he would stop on.
Dennis Tietje takes a look at his graph for the next waypoint he would stop on.
Chad Morganthaler said his Day One had been a complete struggle...
Chad Morganthaler said his Day One had been a complete struggle…
...as did Bernie Schultz.
…as did Bernie Schultz.
Morganthaler has a good track history in tournaments where grass is the predominate pattern, but he would only manage to weigh two fish at the end of the day.
Morganthaler has a good track history in tournaments where grass is the predominate pattern, but he would only manage to weigh two fish at the end of the day.
Late in the afternoon we once again caught up with Josh Bertrand.
Late in the afternoon we once again caught up with Josh Bertrand.
He and Shane Lineberger were fishing acres of lily pads.
He and Shane Lineberger were fishing acres of lily pads.
Bertrand was standing on the trolling motor, trying to cover as much water as possible.
Bertrand was standing on the trolling motor, trying to cover as much water as possible.
He fished by a line of birds perched on poles in the water...
He fished by a line of birds perched on poles in the water…
...and they seemed to turn and watch him fish as he passed by.
…and they seemed to turn and watch him fish as he passed by.
We ended the day spending a few minutes with Chad Grigsby and Chris Lane. The pair finished their day near the boat ramp before heading for the Day One weigh in.
We ended the day spending a few minutes with Chad Grigsby and Chris Lane. The pair finished their day near the boat ramp before heading for the Day One weigh in.