Federation Nation practice

Anglers get out for their first day of practice for the Federation Nation Championship on the Ouachita River out of Monroe, La.

<p>
	The B.A.S.S. staff and service crews line the dock to prepare the anglers for launch after their initial safety checks.</p>
The B.A.S.S. staff and service crews line the dock to prepare the anglers for launch after their initial safety checks.
<p>
	Angler Skip Sjobeck is all bundled up as the temps were in the 30's at launch time.</p>
Angler Skip Sjobeck is all bundled up as the temps were in the 30’s at launch time.
<p>
	The boats are launched just as dawn begins to break on the horizon.</p>
The boats are launched just as dawn begins to break on the horizon.
<p>
	The national anthem was played and our flag honored as daylight broke.</p>
The national anthem was played and our flag honored as daylight broke.
<p>
	The boats line up single file to idle past the dock for safety checks prior to take-off.</p>
The boats line up single file to idle past the dock for safety checks prior to take-off.
<p>
	The faithful service crews are on hand to render help if there are any equipment problems.</p>
The faithful service crews are on hand to render help if there are any equipment problems.
<p>
	The boatyard is filled with empty trailers as the anglers get in their first day of practice.</p>
The boatyard is filled with empty trailers as the anglers get in their first day of practice.
<p>
	All contenders fish from identical Skeeter-Yamaha packaged boats.</p>
All contenders fish from identical Skeeter-Yamaha packaged boats.
<p>
	All the boats are pulled by Toyota vehicles.</p>
All the boats are pulled by Toyota vehicles.
<p>
	Later, the boats all wait neatly in line for the second day of practice.</p>
Later, the boats all wait neatly in line for the second day of practice.