Rocking the Red River

Go on the Red River during Day One of the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.

<p>
	Gerald Swindle works down a wind-blown bank on Day One of the Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Gerald Swindle works down a wind-blown bank on Day One of the Bassmaster Classic.
<p>
	Swindle was having a tough morning as he worked around flooded stumps on Pool 4.</p>
Swindle was having a tough morning as he worked around flooded stumps on Pool 4.
<p>
	Swindle weaves through a gauntlet of stumps.</p>
Swindle weaves through a gauntlet of stumps.
<p>
	Getting stuck on a stump isn’t hard, it’s getting off that’s the challenge.</p>
Getting stuck on a stump isn’t hard, it’s getting off that’s the challenge.
<p>
	After spinning in a circle, Swindle kicks the big motor on high to power off the stump.</p>
After spinning in a circle, Swindle kicks the big motor on high to power off the stump.
<p>
	Swindle treats his spectator boats to a geyser as he makes another spin.</p>
Swindle treats his spectator boats to a geyser as he makes another spin.
<p>
	Edwin Evers stalks his prey through tall grasses on the wild savanna of the Red River.</p>
Edwin Evers stalks his prey through tall grasses on the wild savanna of the Red River.
<p>
	Dean Rojas was covering water quickly as he exited a backwater on Pool 4.</p>
Dean Rojas was covering water quickly as he exited a backwater on Pool 4.
<p>
	The wind was gusting around 25 miles-per-hour, creating less-than-ideal conditions in the backwaters.</p>
The wind was gusting around 25 miles-per-hour, creating less-than-ideal conditions in the backwaters.
<p>
	Evers sets the hook on a fish that was buried up in shallow water.</p>
Evers sets the hook on a fish that was buried up in shallow water.
<p>
	Edwin Evers swings the fish into the boat.</p>
Edwin Evers swings the fish into the boat.
<p>
	Kevin VanDam had a front row seat to that last fish catch by Evers.</p>
Kevin VanDam had a front row seat to that last fish catch by Evers.
<p>
	A group of spectators pulled up on shore to watch VanDam and Evers duke it out.</p>
A group of spectators pulled up on shore to watch VanDam and Evers duke it out.
<p>
	Takahiro Omori casts a crankbait on Day One of the Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Takahiro Omori casts a crankbait on Day One of the Bassmaster Classic.
<p>
	Davy Hite works back into a shallow cut in the back of an oxbow.</p>
Davy Hite works back into a shallow cut in the back of an oxbow.
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	In a deeper cut, David Walker sets the hook and sends a bass skyward.</p>
In a deeper cut, David Walker sets the hook and sends a bass skyward.
<p>
	A fountain of water greets his Marshal as Walker fights a keeper to the boat.</p>
A fountain of water greets his Marshal as Walker fights a keeper to the boat.
<p>
	Walker boats his eighth fish of the day.</p>
Walker boats his eighth fish of the day.
<p>
	Walker holds up his prize before putting it in the box.</p>
Walker holds up his prize before putting it in the box.
<p>
	Walker pulls out a culling beam to weed out his smallest fish.</p>
Walker pulls out a culling beam to weed out his smallest fish.
<p>
	A smile lights Walker’s face after a successful morning on the Red River.</p>
A smile lights Walker’s face after a successful morning on the Red River.
<p>
	Walker treats his fish to some “happy juice.”</p>
Walker treats his fish to some “happy juice.”
<p>
	After landing another keeper, Walker makes an adjustment to his lure.</p>
After landing another keeper, Walker makes an adjustment to his lure.
<p>
	A robin snacks on some early spring blooms.</p>
A robin snacks on some early spring blooms.
<p>
	Walker sets the hook on another keeper.</p>
Walker sets the hook on another keeper.
<p>
	Walker hauls back and a gargantuan mouth emerges from the depths of the river.</p>
Walker hauls back and a gargantuan mouth emerges from the depths of the river.
<p>
	With a final heave, Walker culls again.</p>
With a final heave, Walker culls again.
<p>
	Walker educates his students on the finer points of unhooking bass.</p>
Walker educates his students on the finer points of unhooking bass.
<p>
	Walker prepares to cull for the BASSCam video.</p>
Walker prepares to cull for the BASSCam video.
<p>
	Walker raises his foot to achieve extra power as he horses his biggest fish of the day around the boat.</p>
Walker raises his foot to achieve extra power as he horses his biggest fish of the day around the boat.
<p>
	Walker looks happy to have this 4-pounder to add to his creel.</p>
Walker looks happy to have this 4-pounder to add to his creel.
<p>
	Walker rears back to high-five the cameraman in his excitement.</p>
Walker rears back to high-five the cameraman in his excitement.
<p>
	Walker sends this little bass back to the river, a solid final cull.</p>
Walker sends this little bass back to the river, a solid final cull.
<p>
	Walker smiles at the spectators as he wipes the 4-pounder slime from his hands.</p>
Walker smiles at the spectators as he wipes the 4-pounder slime from his hands.