A Pro’s Approach: John Crews

Smith Mountain Lake, will be home to the fourth Elite Series event of the 2009 season. The lake spans a little over 20,000 surface acres with more than 500 miles of shoreline, most of it characterized by coves, docks and boathouses.

A better day for bed fishing

As far as 98 other anglers are concerned, Jordon has a big bull's-eye on his back, one about the size and shape of the nest of a spawning bass.

2009 Elite Series Blue Ridge Brawl

Despite his prior success here, Casey Ashley didn't have any spectator boats following him. No one had their eyes on him, and if he had his way he wouldn't have had to depend on his eyes, either.

2009 Elite Series Blue Ridge Brawl, Jordon

Kelly Jordon stuck to what he knows best and sight-fished his way to the Day One lead at the Blue Ridge Brawl on picturesque Smith Mountain Lake.

2009 Elite Series Blue Ridge Brawl, Wolak

Wolak drew the coveted No. 1 boat position and had his choice of bedding bass to start on. Yet he couldn't take advantage of the early start because of one particular fish's stubborness.

2009 Bassmaster Northern Open #1, Mansue

"This is incredible," Mansue said. "I've been fishing competitively for 10 years and it feels great to be able to say I'm a champion now."

2009 Elite Series Blue Ridge Brawl, Broderick

With three events in the books, he's not quite at the bottom of the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, but he's far too close to triple digits for comfort.

2009 Elite Series Blue Ridge Brawl, Sight fishing

While rainsuits and facemasks may have been the key pieces of equipment in this season's first three tournaments, it seems that Power Poles and polarized sunglasses will finally be the anglers' most treasured possessions.

2009 Elite Series Blue Ridge Brawl, Picks

On the eve of Day One of the Blue Ridge Brawl, we asked the Elite Series anglers to pick three anglers they think should excel on Smith Mountain Lake.

You can’t see Earth from here

Once a week my mother would layer me in as many clothes as she thought it took to keep the earth off me, rush me through the earth into the car, and drive to Dr. Richards, an allergy doc-guy, who would walk in the little shot giving room with two TRAYS of five shots each, and one lollipop.