Open: James River registration

Varina High School was the site of Wednesday’s registration for the second Bass Pro Shops Northern Open at the James River.

Anglers were guided to a auditorium for the briefing and meeting.

Heath Laney inspects each anglers fishing license as they come through the line.

This hardware is up for grabs and will be awarded to the pro angler that rises to the top of the standings after three days of competition. The co-angler champion also receives a nice trophy. The pros other winning prize along with a boat/motor package is a Bassmaster Classic berth.

Carhartt brought some hats to help shield the anglers from the bright sun that has hung over this region for the entire summer. Temperatures are expected to be in the high-80’s and low 90’s all week.

Black, tan and white were the options for the anglers.

Shimano had rod and reel combos on display for fishermen to check out and try out if they were interested.

Richmond, VA is one of the host cities this week along with Henrico County.

Phoenix Boats had apparel, stickers and brochures on display.

The brochures explained their tournament rewards program.

The information board displayed the results from the first Northern Open at Oneida Lake.

Points are critical for those looking to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series.

Fans pose for a photo with the hardware.

Elite Series pro James Niggemeyer is fishing this week after just competing at Lake Champlain a few days ago.

Shane Lineberger is one of the Elites that made the trip down as well.

Shin Fukae acts surprised, but nothing gets past Fukae that easily.

Pete Gluszek talks with tournament director Chris Bowes.

Meanwhile Sam George talks with Bassmaster writer Craig Lamb.

Before the meeting gets started, Mike Iaconelli takes the moment to organize his boat. Fishing for three weeks will have your equipment as frazzled as it can get.

Anglers funnel in to the stage area and take a seat for the rules meeting to begin.

Stanley Sypeck Jr. is here this week, which means if he competes here and at Douglas Lake in a month he will punch his ticket to the 2018 Geico Bassmaster Classic after winning on Oneida Lake.

Mike Huff (left) and Elite Series pro John Hunter hang out together. They fished in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series together at Georgetown College a couple years ago. Next week we will crown a College National Champion and Bracket representative in that respective series.

Chad Pipkens, Nicholas Bodsford and Brandon Palaniuk read over the rules.

The meeting gets underway and Chris Bowes addresses the field of fishermen.

David Williams (right) and John Murray (left) came to compete this week.

Meanwhile, Charlie Hartley looks to double down and win back-to-back events here on the James River. The 2016 Champion went to the 2017 Bassmaster Classic because of his win here last year.

Carl Jocumsen (left), Josh Douglas and Chad Smith all look to do well this week. Douglas just registered his personal best bass, a 9-12 beast on the final day of practice.

Takeoff’s will happen at 6 a.m. ET at Osborne Landing with weigh-in’s starting at 2 p.m. ET for Days 1 and 2.