Nation: Day 1 launch

See the Nation anglers launch onto Clear Lake Day 1 of the 2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional.

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The essentials of a takeoff are the pairings list, a sound system and the microphone. It’s all lined up and ready for action at Clear Lake for the start of the 2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional.
The essentials of a takeoff are the pairings list, a sound system and the microphone. It’s all lined up and ready for action at Clear Lake for the start of the 2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional.
These co-anglers await their boater partners to start the day of competition on Clear Lake.
These co-anglers await their boater partners to start the day of competition on Clear Lake.
Just when it’s nearing takeoff time, the fog rolls into the boat basin.
Just when it’s nearing takeoff time, the fog rolls into the boat basin.
Tim Johnston is boat No. 1. That comes with the required safety check and verification of insurance.
Tim Johnston is boat No. 1. That comes with the required safety check and verification of insurance.
Boats line up at the Konocti Vista Marina for the start of Day 1 on Clear Lake.
Boats line up at the Konocti Vista Marina for the start of Day 1 on Clear Lake.
The day begins with a beautiful sunrise over the mountains of northern California and its wine country.
The day begins with a beautiful sunrise over the mountains of northern California and its wine country.
Frost blankets the deck of this boat as the anglers prepare for the day.
Frost blankets the deck of this boat as the anglers prepare for the day.
The National Anthem is played and the anglers pay tribute.
The National Anthem is played and the anglers pay tribute.
The fog covers the boat basin just minutes before the official takeoff time at 6:30 a.m.
The fog covers the boat basin just minutes before the official takeoff time at 6:30 a.m.
This sign means what it says. The dock is slick and covered in frost, just like the decks of boats.
This sign means what it says. The dock is slick and covered in frost, just like the decks of boats.
The sun burns through the fog but it’s not enough to make safe passage into the lake.
The sun burns through the fog but it’s not enough to make safe passage into the lake.
Some morning commuters scrape frost from their windshields. For these boaters, it’s all part of going to work.
Some morning commuters scrape frost from their windshields. For these boaters, it’s all part of going to work.
The clipboard with angler pairings and the microphone are idle as music plays during the fog delay.
The clipboard with angler pairings and the microphone are idle as music plays during the fog delay.
Boat No 1 is ready but the lake is not. It remains too foggy nearly an hour after the official start time.
Boat No 1 is ready but the lake is not. It remains too foggy nearly an hour after the official start time.
At 8 a.m. the sound of Ozzy Osborne’s “Crazy Train” blasts across the boat basin. That means its finally time to go.
At 8 a.m. the sound of Ozzy Osborne’s “Crazy Train” blasts across the boat basin. That means its finally time to go.
The first boats idle out into a not-so-clear lake.
The first boats idle out into a not-so-clear lake.
The second flight idles into place for the final safety check.
The second flight idles into place for the final safety check.
The chilly air sends damp mist from the exhausts of the outboards as the boats move through the takeoff line.
The chilly air sends damp mist from the exhausts of the outboards as the boats move through the takeoff line.
The floating key fobs have boat numbers used to keep up with the anglers and record their return time for weigh-in.
The floating key fobs have boat numbers used to keep up with the anglers and record their return time for weigh-in.
The last flight of boats line up for the takeoff.
The last flight of boats line up for the takeoff.
More boat numbers are tossed out to the anglers.
More boat numbers are tossed out to the anglers.
B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart and coordinator Emily Hand watch from the weigh-in site as the final boats take off.
B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart and coordinator Emily Hand watch from the weigh-in site as the final boats take off.
The skies are now clearing up across Clear Lake for a beautiful day of fishing on a premier bass fishery.
The skies are now clearing up across Clear Lake for a beautiful day of fishing on a premier bass fishery.
The safety crew and boat check-out duties are nearly wrapped up as the final boats leave the dock.
The safety crew and boat check-out duties are nearly wrapped up as the final boats leave the dock.