Fed anglers arrive at Championship

Sponsor representatives greeted each contender at yesterday’s registration for the 2012 Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship. Competition begins Thursday on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala.

Matt Herren, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro who lives in nearby Trussville, gave out Skeeter-branded hats to competitors.

Andy Bravence, right, shakes the hand of Triton representative Adam Adkisson.

Darin Doll, right, of Pennsylvania gets his Cabela's gift pack from B.A.S.S. staffer Eric Nichols.

David Mays of Oregon and Teb Jones of Mississippi collect Simms products.

B.A.S.S. staffer Tony Quick models the Simms face mask. Everyone on-site agreed he looked better with it on.

Robert Williamson, fishing for New Hampshire, and Jonathan Carter of Maine show off the gifts they received as contenders. Each received a plaque, seven caps, two T-shirts, two hand towels, a boat flag, a skull cap and a Skeeter rod by Kistler Rods.

The current issue of B.A.S.S. Times was popular among the contenders because it included information about who’s fishing in the championship.

Matt Herren chats with Nebraska's Jared Knuth.

Don Corkran, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation director, reminds contenders that six of them will go to the 2013 Bassmaster Classic. But he stresses that they should put that thought aside right now and focus on the fishing.

This is the 25th anniversary of the Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship, said Corkran.

Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation senior manager, talked about B.A.S.S. Federation Nation camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Competitors listened intently during the briefing.

Jamie Sochocki of Michigan and Eddie Levin of Ohio are looking forward to this week’s competition.

Contenders are briefed on boat and motor usage.

Franco Vallejos, Shane Baertsch and Josh Polfer listen as Jon Stewart talks about boat operation.

Lee Robertson of Skeeter Boats guides contenders through the basic mechanics of the boat.

Doug O'Hara of Lowrance gives competitors Jason Hemminger, Antonio Gomez and Frank Villa a lesson on using electronics.

JJ Patton of Iowa loads up on barbecue, baked beans and coleslaw, courtesy of the city of Decatur.

Anglers from different regions spent dinnertime getting to know each other.

Shane Baertsch of Montana and Andy Bravence of Arizona enjoy a laugh during dinner.