Opens: Day 1 takeoff at Champlain

Opens competitors gather for takeoff on Lake Champlain for Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #2 presented by Allstate.

The first boats gather in the basin at Dock Street Basin in Plattsburgh, N.Y., for Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #2 presented by Allstate.
The first boats gather in the basin at Dock Street Basin in Plattsburgh, N.Y., for Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #2 presented by Allstate.
Takeoff time is always near when the American flag is raised for the national anthem.
Takeoff time is always near when the American flag is raised for the national anthem.
Anglers stand to honor the flag, their country and the members of the U.S. armed forces worldwide.
Anglers stand to honor the flag, their country and the members of the U.S. armed forces worldwide.
The BoatU.S. TowBoatU.S. arrives for the day.
The BoatU.S. TowBoatU.S. arrives for the day.
Fishing anywhere north of the state of Florida requires bundling up. Even when it’s 65 degrees outside.
Fishing anywhere north of the state of Florida requires bundling up. Even when it’s 65 degrees outside.
Brandon Card idles in place as he prepares for his day of fishing on Lake Champlain.
Brandon Card idles in place as he prepares for his day of fishing on Lake Champlain.
A co-angler records the moment before settling in for a day of fishing.
A co-angler records the moment before settling in for a day of fishing.
The basin is filled with vessels of all kinds at Dock Street Basin.
The basin is filled with vessels of all kinds at Dock Street Basin.
Chris Zaldain is all smiles for his day on Lake Champlain.
Chris Zaldain is all smiles for his day on Lake Champlain.
Max and Erin of the B.A.S.S. staff are the last officials to check the boats prior to takeoff.
Max and Erin of the B.A.S.S. staff are the last officials to check the boats prior to takeoff.
Trait Crist is all smiles for a day of fishing on Lake Champlain.
Trait Crist is all smiles for a day of fishing on Lake Champlain.
Gerald Sensabaugh, a former NFLer for the Dallas Cowboys, hopes to score a bass fishing touchdown on Lake Champlain.
Gerald Sensabaugh, a former NFLer for the Dallas Cowboys, hopes to score a bass fishing touchdown on Lake Champlain.
David Walker gets ready to line up for a day of fishing on Lake Champlain.
David Walker gets ready to line up for a day of fishing on Lake Champlain.
Aaron Martens gives a hand signal representing the number of bass he’ll return with to the scales.
Aaron Martens gives a hand signal representing the number of bass he’ll return with to the scales.
The Dock Street Basin is normally a haven for yachts and sailboats. This week bass boats outnumber those vessels.
The Dock Street Basin is normally a haven for yachts and sailboats. This week bass boats outnumber those vessels.
For some it takes packing a lunch to make it through the workday.
For some it takes packing a lunch to make it through the workday.
The final boats pass through the safety check line as the spectators, tournament support crews and B.A.S.S. officials wait …
The final boats pass through the safety check line as the spectators, tournament support crews and B.A.S.S. officials wait …
Ott DeFoe is one of the last to check out for Day 1.
Ott DeFoe is one of the last to check out for Day 1.
B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes lines up the final boats...
B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes lines up the final boats…
... as the sun begins to rise over Lake Champlain.
… as the sun begins to rise over Lake Champlain.