Nation: Day 2 launch on the Connecticut River

Competitors took to the Connecticut River for Day 2 of the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.

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Competitors took to the Connecticut River for Day 2 of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.
Competitors took to the Connecticut River for Day 2 of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.
The sunrise was just beginning as the boats loaded into the water.
The sunrise was just beginning as the boats loaded into the water.
Meanwhile, Hartford gleamed in the background.
Meanwhile, Hartford gleamed in the background.
Coffee is an important part of the early launch.
Coffee is an important part of the early launch.
Skip Sjobeck of Vermont gets ready to back his boat into the water.
Skip Sjobeck of Vermont gets ready to back his boat into the water.
The Request-A-Chef truck is here serving breakfast sandwiches to the anglers and their supporters.
The Request-A-Chef truck is here serving breakfast sandwiches to the anglers and their supporters.
Serious chatter is happening in the truck as John Diaco and Mickey Soler get ready to load in.
Serious chatter is happening in the truck as John Diaco and Mickey Soler get ready to load in.
Lights everywhere.
Lights everywhere.
Riverside Park hosts the launches.
Riverside Park hosts the launches.
This end of the dock heads northward -- but most anglers will not.
This end of the dock heads northward — but most anglers will not.
All the boats are in now.
All the boats are in now.
Brian Croteau of Rhode Island is in one of the first boats out.
Brian Croteau of Rhode Island is in one of the first boats out.
Ed Kohl of Connecticut is his partner for the day.
Ed Kohl of Connecticut is his partner for the day.
Mark Desjardin of Maine lost a good fish yesterday. He's hoping to make up for it today.
Mark Desjardin of Maine lost a good fish yesterday. He’s hoping to make up for it today.
Chuck Sturtevant of Vermont will share the boat with Desjardin.
Chuck Sturtevant of Vermont will share the boat with Desjardin.
Anglers begin staging ...
Anglers begin staging …
... all the way down the dock.
… all the way down the dock.
Chris Adams of Vermont and Doug Kirkbride of New York are the third boat in the lineup.
Chris Adams of Vermont and Doug Kirkbride of New York are the third boat in the lineup.
Steven Pickard of New York leads the tournament. Today, he'll be fishing with Alan Krause of Massachusetts.
Steven Pickard of New York leads the tournament. Today, he’ll be fishing with Alan Krause of Massachusetts.
Paul LeBlanc of Massachusetts and Bill Rider of Maine will lead the takeoff in boat No. 1.
Paul LeBlanc of Massachusetts and Bill Rider of Maine will lead the takeoff in boat No. 1.
A rowing team came in at the end of the dock, causing officials to shift down all the leading boats and the check stations.
A rowing team came in at the end of the dock, causing officials to shift down all the leading boats and the check stations.
Competitors stand for the playing of the national anthem.
Competitors stand for the playing of the national anthem.
Roy Costa, president of the Rhode Island B.A.S.S. Nation and host of the event, shows off his shirt ...
Roy Costa, president of the Rhode Island B.A.S.S. Nation and host of the event, shows off his shirt …
... tailor-made for this tournament.
… tailor-made for this tournament.
And they're off!
And they’re off!
The rowing team gets ready to put in ...
The rowing team gets ready to put in …
... nailed it.
… nailed it.
The rowers will be heading in the direction that most anglers won't be ...
The rowers will be heading in the direction that most anglers won’t be …
... north.
… north.
Meanwhile, the bass fishing competitors cut their U-turns short at the dock ...
Meanwhile, the bass fishing competitors cut their U-turns short at the dock …
... to check in and to head the other way.
… to check in and to head the other way.
Patrick Campbell of Ontario flies his Canadian flag, as RC Cooper of New Hampshire heads out with him.
Patrick Campbell of Ontario flies his Canadian flag, as RC Cooper of New Hampshire heads out with him.
Nice catch!
Nice catch!
George Yund of New York and Eric Corbella Salvia of Spain wrap up the first flight.
George Yund of New York and Eric Corbella Salvia of Spain wrap up the first flight.
Presidents and officers stand by ...
Presidents and officers stand by …
... often clapping and cheering for the anglers as they go through the check-in line ...
… often clapping and cheering for the anglers as they go through the check-in line …
... sometimes even high-fiving them.
… sometimes even high-fiving them.
Jim Bianchi of New York and Tim Dube of New Hampshire are among the first anglers in the second flight ...
Jim Bianchi of New York and Tim Dube of New Hampshire are among the first anglers in the second flight …
... and Scott Dupuis of Vermont and Christopher Killoren of New York are among the last.
… and Scott Dupuis of Vermont and Christopher Killoren of New York are among the last.
Steve Dorsey of Rhode Island and Larry MacPhail of Ontario start the last group of anglers coming through.
Steve Dorsey of Rhode Island and Larry MacPhail of Ontario start the last group of anglers coming through.
A thumbs-up from Ruben Corbella Salvia of Spain, who's riding with Steve Worden of Rhode Island.
A thumbs-up from Ruben Corbella Salvia of Spain, who’s riding with Steve Worden of Rhode Island.
The rowing crew makes its way out ...
The rowing crew makes its way out …
... with a bass boat leading the way on the rare route north.
… with a bass boat leading the way on the rare route north.
Officials guide the anglers through the line ...
Officials guide the anglers through the line …
... and Phil Casto of Rhode Island and Dave Spence of Ontario make their happy faces on the way out.
… and Phil Casto of Rhode Island and Dave Spence of Ontario make their happy faces on the way out.
Dan Tavilla of Massachusetts and Ronald Larivee of Rhode Island are sharing a boat today.
Dan Tavilla of Massachusetts and Ronald Larivee of Rhode Island are sharing a boat today.
Javier Casado Izquierdo gives a thumbs-up to his friends at home in Spain, while Keith Poulin of Maine steers.
Javier Casado Izquierdo gives a thumbs-up to his friends at home in Spain, while Keith Poulin of Maine steers.
Jamie Hartman of New York starts Day 2 in second place. George Barnes of Massachusetts is his partner today.
Jamie Hartman of New York starts Day 2 in second place. George Barnes of Massachusetts is his partner today.
Michael Caudle of Massachusetts rides shotgun as he and Jason Kervin of Maine are the last anglers out.
Michael Caudle of Massachusetts rides shotgun as he and Jason Kervin of Maine are the last anglers out.
OK, not quite. The rest of the anglers coming through are the high school representatives from each state. First up is the Maine team of Jed Harris, Alex Williamson and Daniel Rodgers.
OK, not quite. The rest of the anglers coming through are the high school representatives from each state. First up is the Maine team of Jed Harris, Alex Williamson and Daniel Rodgers.
Rhode Island sent boat driver Ray Coleman with Damon Coleman and Ben Wiitala.
Rhode Island sent boat driver Ray Coleman with Damon Coleman and Ben Wiitala.
Vermont's high school team is led by Craig Rexford with Max Bellinghiri and Rudd Rexford.
Vermont’s high school team is led by Craig Rexford with Max Bellinghiri and Rudd Rexford.
Chad Heath of Massachusetts escorts Evan Bramhill and Teddy Peznola.
Chad Heath of Massachusetts escorts Evan Bramhill and Teddy Peznola.
Team captain Terry Baksay drives Connecticut's Noah Winslow and Doug Marino.
Team captain Terry Baksay drives Connecticut’s Noah Winslow and Doug Marino.
Forrest Weiler of Ontario is serving as boat captain for Ontario's Danny McGarry and Cooper Gallant.
Forrest Weiler of Ontario is serving as boat captain for Ontario’s Danny McGarry and Cooper Gallant.
Bill Lionetta of New Hampshire heads out with Andrew Cagliano and Alexander Conti.
Bill Lionetta of New Hampshire heads out with Andrew Cagliano and Alexander Conti.
The New York team is all smiles. Joe Matt drives, and Michael Arndt and Ryan Hujar will be fishing today.
The New York team is all smiles. Joe Matt drives, and Michael Arndt and Ryan Hujar will be fishing today.
And that does it!
And that does it!
The ramp that has had so much activity for the last hour or so is now serene.
The ramp that has had so much activity for the last hour or so is now serene.