Northern Open Day 1 begins

At 5:15 a.m. on the shores of Oneida Lake a co-angler waits to meet his partner for Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open.
At 5:15 a.m. on the shores of Oneida Lake a co-angler waits to meet his partner for Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open.
Oneida Shores Park is a busy place this morning. Two hundred boats are gathering for the first Northern Open of the season.
Oneida Shores Park is a busy place this morning. Two hundred boats are gathering for the first Northern Open of the season.
Lots goes on behind the scenes before the boats leave for the day. Two hundred boats means 200 co-anglers must find their pro partners.
Lots goes on behind the scenes before the boats leave for the day. Two hundred boats means 200 co-anglers must find their pro partners.
One of those pros is Wesley Strader from Tennessee. He won the first Southern Open earlier this year on the Kissimmee Chain. Doing so guarantees him a berth in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
One of those pros is Wesley Strader from Tennessee. He won the first Southern Open earlier this year on the Kissimmee Chain. Doing so guarantees him a berth in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Jacob Wheeler meets his partner for the day. Wheeler is an FLW Tour pro hoping to join the ranks of the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Jacob Wheeler meets his partner for the day. Wheeler is an FLW Tour pro hoping to join the ranks of the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Miyuki Fukae watches a friend snap a photo from the campground. The Fukaes travel in a nice, full-sized RV to events. Oneida Shores is one of their favorite sites.
Miyuki Fukae watches a friend snap a photo from the campground. The Fukaes travel in a nice, full-sized RV to events. Oneida Shores is one of their favorite sites.
It’s a favorite likely because of the fantastic sunrises that come over the largest inland lake in the state of New York.
It’s a favorite likely because of the fantastic sunrises that come over the largest inland lake in the state of New York.
Oneida Lake is also a favorite stop for Chris Bowes. The senior tournament manager is from nearby Syracuse and grew up fishing the lake.
Oneida Lake is also a favorite stop for Chris Bowes. The senior tournament manager is from nearby Syracuse and grew up fishing the lake.
At 5:30 a.m. the boats begin leaving the dock. A beautiful day is unfolding. Sunny skies and highs in the mid-70s are in the forecast.
At 5:30 a.m. the boats begin leaving the dock. A beautiful day is unfolding. Sunny skies and highs in the mid-70s are in the forecast.
Alton Jones Jr., gets called out by Bowes to line up in his spot for takeoff. The younger Jones is fishing all three Opens regional divisions.
Alton Jones Jr., gets called out by Bowes to line up in his spot for takeoff. The younger Jones is fishing all three Opens regional divisions.
The final check point is here on the B.A.S.S. live release boat. Normally that happens on the shoreline. A beach is nearby at the weigh-in and the boat is more practical to use here.
The final check point is here on the B.A.S.S. live release boat. Normally that happens on the shoreline. A beach is nearby at the weigh-in and the boat is more practical to use here.
The anglers are in store for a bonus day of fishing opportunities. Here you can catch smallmouth and largemouth, and lots of them, on a lake with plentiful bait and habitat.
The anglers are in store for a bonus day of fishing opportunities. Here you can catch smallmouth and largemouth, and lots of them, on a lake with plentiful bait and habitat.
By now the takeoff process is well underway. From here the anglers will likely go two directions. One is offshore for the smallmouth fishing. The other is toward the shoreline for the largemouth bite.
By now the takeoff process is well underway. From here the anglers will likely go two directions. One is offshore for the smallmouth fishing. The other is toward the shoreline for the largemouth bite.
Max Leatherwood holds in his hand the most important paperwork of the morning. It’s the list will the boats in numerical order. Everyone has a number and designated takeoff time.
Max Leatherwood holds in his hand the most important paperwork of the morning. It’s the list will the boats in numerical order. Everyone has a number and designated takeoff time.
On the other side of the yellow card is a flight number. It’s used to signal the boats as a reference for where the takeoff process is at a given time.
On the other side of the yellow card is a flight number. It’s used to signal the boats as a reference for where the takeoff process is at a given time.
On this morning bundling up is a good idea. The temperature is in the mid-50s and a long run means a chilly ride.
On this morning bundling up is a good idea. The temperature is in the mid-50s and a long run means a chilly ride.
Randy Howell won this very tournament held on Oneida Lake last summer. He’s hoping for a repeat win this year.
Randy Howell won this very tournament held on Oneida Lake last summer. He’s hoping for a repeat win this year.
Gary Clouse, president of Phoenix Boats, wants to win, too. He traveled here from Tennessee to experience the lake’s phenomenal largemouth and smallmouth fishing.
Gary Clouse, president of Phoenix Boats, wants to win, too. He traveled here from Tennessee to experience the lake’s phenomenal largemouth and smallmouth fishing.
A hand reaches into the box of floating boat fobs. Each has a number corresponding with the boat number that will be used at the check-in site.
A hand reaches into the box of floating boat fobs. Each has a number corresponding with the boat number that will be used at the check-in site.
Shin Fukae is another hopeful here on Oneida. He’s coming off a Top 5 finish at nearby Lake Champlain at an FLW Tour event.
Shin Fukae is another hopeful here on Oneida. He’s coming off a Top 5 finish at nearby Lake Champlain at an FLW Tour event.