On the Kissimmee Chain, Day 1

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Florida’s Shaw Grigsby is one of several Bassmaster Elite Series anglers fishing this week on Lake Toho.
Florida’s Shaw Grigsby is one of several Bassmaster Elite Series anglers fishing this week on Lake Toho.
Former Elite Series angler Jason Quinn is fishing the event, too.
Former Elite Series angler Jason Quinn is fishing the event, too.
As we made our way onto the lake, the last few boats were leaving the launch area.
As we made our way onto the lake, the last few boats were leaving the launch area.
The morning started with fog and light rain.
The morning started with fog and light rain.
Some anglers chose to stay close to the launch and not run through the fog and rain.
Some anglers chose to stay close to the launch and not run through the fog and rain.
One of those was Chad Morgenthaler.
One of those was Chad Morgenthaler.
Morgenthaler won the first Southern Open last year, held on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee.
Morgenthaler won the first Southern Open last year, held on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee.
The best way to run the shallow areas of Lake Toho may be with the boat up on pad.
The best way to run the shallow areas of Lake Toho may be with the boat up on pad.
Matt Lee makes a cast on one of several spots he would stop on during the day.
Matt Lee makes a cast on one of several spots he would stop on during the day.
He wouldn’t stay long before putting on a motorcycle helmet and making a move.
He wouldn’t stay long before putting on a motorcycle helmet and making a move.
Koby Kreiger was the first angler we saw hooked up with a fish.
Koby Kreiger was the first angler we saw hooked up with a fish.
The fish apparently came out of the grass…
The fish apparently came out of the grass…
…and Kreiger pulls in about as much grass as bass.
…and Kreiger pulls in about as much grass as bass.
As Kreiger goes to measure the fish…
As Kreiger goes to measure the fish…
…his co-angler Nate Bloom waves and says he has a fish to show us.
…his co-angler Nate Bloom waves and says he has a fish to show us.
After giving Kreiger a congratulatory handshake…
After giving Kreiger a congratulatory handshake…
…Bloom pulled out this Lake Toho behemoth from the livewell.
…Bloom pulled out this Lake Toho behemoth from the livewell.
We stayed with the pair of Kreiger and Bloom for some while, watching Kreiger first boat a pickerel…
We stayed with the pair of Kreiger and Bloom for some while, watching Kreiger first boat
a pickerel…
…then a nice crappie.
…then a nice crappie.
Kreiger, obviously a multi-species angler, asked what we would like for him to catch next.
Kreiger, obviously a multi-species angler, asked what we would like for him to catch next.
At times walls of fog would move across the lake, making it difficult to identify who we were photographing.
At times walls of fog would move across the lake, making it difficult to identify who we were photographing.
A safe place to stay out of the fog that moved through, were the miles of shoreline cover on Lake Toho.
A safe place to stay out of the fog that moved through, were the miles of shoreline cover on Lake Toho.
We can only assume there is water back there somewhere.
We can only assume there is water back there somewhere.
Elite Series angler Seth Feider is competing on Lake Toho this week.
Elite Series angler Seth Feider is competing on Lake Toho this week.
Okay, who appears to be racing a coot?
Okay, who appears to be racing a coot?
As he got closer, we could see it was Rick Morris.
As he got closer, we could see it was Rick Morris.
You could run for a mile and not find any competitors…
You could run for a mile and not find any competitors…
…then suddenly find them in small groups fishing close to one another.
…then suddenly find them in small groups fishing close to one another.
Terry Seagraves is running a boat sponsored by the host community, Kissimmee, Fla.
Terry Seagraves is running a boat sponsored by the host community, Kissimmee, Fla.