Alton’s Arkansas River practice

Images of Alton Jones' first day of practice for this week's Elite Series Diamond Drive on the Arkansas River.

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<p> Alton Jones relinquished his lead in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, but looks to change that on the Arkansas River.</p>
Alton Jones relinquished his lead in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, but looks to change that on the Arkansas River.
<p> The Arkansas River event promises to cause some shake-ups in the year-long points race.</p>
The Arkansas River event promises to cause some shake-ups in the year-long points race.
<p> Jones pulls up his trolling motor as he scouts the Arkansas River on Monday.</p>
Jones pulls up his trolling motor as he scouts the Arkansas River on Monday.
<p> Jones makes a cast during the first few hours of practice for the Diamond Drive.</p>
Jones makes a cast during the first few hours of practice for the Diamond Drive.
<p> While moving to a different spot, Jones takes a few moments to eat an energy bar.</p>
While moving to a different spot, Jones takes a few moments to eat an energy bar.
<p> During practice, Jones rolls the hooks over on his crankbait so that he won’t hook any fish.</p>
During practice, Jones rolls the hooks over on his crankbait so that he won’t hook any fish.
<p> Jones looks around to decide how to approach the area he’s found.</p>
Jones looks around to decide how to approach the area he’s found.
<p> Jones plans to target fewer numbers of bigger keepers, rather than go for quantity.</p>
Jones plans to target fewer numbers of bigger keepers, rather than go for quantity.
<p>  </p> <p> Current swirls around the front of Jones’ boat on his first day of practice.</p>
 

Current swirls around the front of Jones’ boat on his first day of practice.

<p> Jones connects his PFD before idling out from the area he was fishing.</p>
Jones connects his PFD before idling out from the area he was fishing.
<p> With temperatures climbing into the upper 90s before noon, Jones drinks something to stay hydrated.</p>
With temperatures climbing into the upper 90s before noon, Jones drinks something to stay hydrated.
<p> Fast-moving, muddy water greeted Jones as he idled around the Arkansas River Monday.</p>
Fast-moving, muddy water greeted Jones as he idled around the Arkansas River Monday.
<p> Jones idles out from a small backwater to continue his first day of practice for the Diamond Drive.</p>
Jones idles out from a small backwater to continue his first day of practice for the Diamond Drive.