Photos: Falling off at the James

Mark Hicks focuses on the silver lining on the heels of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #1 on Virginia's James River.

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<p> The official meeting for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open on the James River was at “The Showplace Exhibition Center.”</p>
The official meeting for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open on the James River was at “The Showplace Exhibition Center.”
<p> The winner’s trophy is prominently displayed at the registration table – as if we needed any additional incentive to catch bass.</p>
The winner’s trophy is prominently displayed at the registration table – as if we needed any additional incentive to catch bass.
<p> Alabama pro Jimmy Mason helps an angler sign up for BoatUS insurance, something every angler with a boat should consider.</p>
Alabama pro Jimmy Mason helps an angler sign up for BoatUS insurance, something every angler with a boat should consider.
<p> Tournament Director Chris Bowes goes over the rules and does the partner pairings at the James River Open.</p>
Tournament Director Chris Bowes goes over the rules and does the partner pairings at the James River Open.
James River ace Kelly Pratt looks confident just before take-off on Day One of the Northern Open. He finished in fourth place.
James River ace Kelly Pratt looks confident just before take-off on Day One of the Northern Open. He finished in fourth place.
<p> I make plans with my Day One partner, Ron Pegoli.</p>
I make plans with my Day One partner, Ron Pegoli.
<p> James River competitors listen as Tournament Director Chris Bowes goes over the rules and regulations.</p>
James River competitors listen as Tournament Director Chris Bowes goes over the rules and regulations.
<p> My James River tournament was a disaster, but I did manage to catch a few bass.</p>
My James River tournament was a disaster, but I did manage to catch a few bass.
<p> “Yes, there are only two fish in my bag.”</p>
“Yes, there are only two fish in my bag.”
<p> Tournament Director Chris Bowes weighs my fish at the James River Open and, thankfully, doesn’t give me too much grief about not catching a limit.</p>
Tournament Director Chris Bowes weighs my fish at the James River Open and, thankfully, doesn’t give me too much grief about not catching a limit.
<p> I’m coming through the Day Two take-off line with my partner Ronnie Doughtry.</p>
I’m coming through the Day Two take-off line with my partner Ronnie Doughtry.
<p> I reach up to catch the floating key fob with my boat number on it. Every boater gets one at take-off and must return it when they check in.</p>
I reach up to catch the floating key fob with my boat number on it. Every boater gets one at take-off and must return it when they check in.
<p> Osborne Park boat landing was crowded during the weigh-ins.</p>
Osborne Park boat landing was crowded during the weigh-ins.
<p> My daughter, Valerie, buys a souvenir at the Bass Pro Shops in Richmond before the final weigh-in.</p>
My daughter, Valerie, buys a souvenir at the Bass Pro Shops in Richmond before the final weigh-in.
<p> I lust for the winner's trophy. Someday...</p>
I lust for the winner’s trophy. Someday…
<p> The tall trophy for the co-angler winner and trophies for the second and third place finishers in the pro and co-angler divisions.</p>
The tall trophy for the co-angler winner and trophies for the second and third place finishers in the pro and co-angler divisions.
<p> Tournament Director Chris Bowes fires up the crowd as he tosses free Bass Pro Shops hats into the crowd.</p>
Tournament Director Chris Bowes fires up the crowd as he tosses free Bass Pro Shops hats into the crowd.
<p> More goodies being tossed into the crowd at the James River Open.</p>
More goodies being tossed into the crowd at the James River Open.
<p> At 16 years old, Nicholas Bodsford of Richmond was the youngest boater to compete at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open at the James River. He also volunteered to participate in the Wounded Warriors tournament. Great kid. No doubt we’ll see him fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series one day.</p>
At 16 years old, Nicholas Bodsford of Richmond was the youngest boater to compete at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open at the James River. He also volunteered to participate in the Wounded Warriors tournament. Great kid. No doubt we’ll see him fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series one day.
<p> Brian Schram performs on the weigh-in stage at the Richmond, Va., Bass Pro Shops. Schram also competed in the tournament, his first Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open as a pro.</p>
Brian Schram performs on the weigh-in stage at the Richmond, Va., Bass Pro Shops. Schram also competed in the tournament, his first Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open as a pro.
<p> Brian Schram entertains the crowd at the Richmond, Va., Bass Pro Shops with one of his original songs, “Bassin’ USA.”</p>
Brian Schram entertains the crowd at the Richmond, Va., Bass Pro Shops with one of his original songs, “Bassin’ USA.”
<p>  </p> <p> Michigan’s Art Ferguson didn’t expect to do well on the James River. He surprised himself with a sixth place finish.</p>
 

Michigan’s Art Ferguson didn’t expect to do well on the James River. He surprised himself with a sixth place finish.

<p> Co-angler Alan Jackson shows off two bass at the final weigh-in.</p>
Co-angler Alan Jackson shows off two bass at the final weigh-in.
<p> Veteran B.A.S.S. pro Woo Daves carries a bag of bass to the final weigh-in, along with the rope that tangled in his prop. The mishap cost him an hour of fishing time.</p>
Veteran B.A.S.S. pro Woo Daves carries a bag of bass to the final weigh-in, along with the rope that tangled in his prop. The mishap cost him an hour of fishing time.
<p> Woo Daves made a hard charge at the Northern Open and finished in third place.</p>
Woo Daves made a hard charge at the Northern Open and finished in third place.
<p> How does it feel to win the co-angler division? Ask Alan Jackson.</p>
How does it feel to win the co-angler division? Ask Alan Jackson.
<p> Joshua Wagy of Dewitt, Va., shows off two of his winning bass.</p>
Joshua Wagy of Dewitt, Va., shows off two of his winning bass.
<p> Joshua Wagy receives the winner’s trophy at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open at the James River.</p>
Joshua Wagy receives the winner’s trophy at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open at the James River.
<p> Pennsylvania’s Jeff Stoner took this photo of his bass boat being towed in by BoatUS at Lake Erie last summer. Every bass boater should consider getting BoatUS insurance.</p>
Pennsylvania’s Jeff Stoner took this photo of his bass boat being towed in by BoatUS at Lake Erie last summer. Every bass boater should consider getting BoatUS insurance.