Nation Championship: Day 1 begins

The B.A.S.S. Nation Championship anglers head out on the Ouachita River for the first day of competition.

Preston Frazell of Kansas and Albert Collins of Texas get ready to head out onto the Ouachita River.
Preston Frazell of Kansas and Albert Collins of Texas get ready to head out onto the Ouachita River.
<p>Robert Williamson of Maine is all smiles as he starts Day 1 of the BNC.</p>
Robert Williamson of Maine is all smiles as he starts Day 1 of the BNC.
Using the last few minutes before takeoff, Steven Wilson prepares his tackle.
Using the last few minutes before takeoff, Steven Wilson prepares his tackle.
The sun is just starting to rise over the launch site at Forsythe Park in Monroe, La.
The sun is just starting to rise over the launch site at Forsythe Park in Monroe, La.
Billy Lemon of Oklahoma and Kyle Glasgow of Alabama are ready to find some bass today.
Billy Lemon of Oklahoma and Kyle Glasgow of Alabama are ready to find some bass today.
Italian angler Samuele Ferroni and his translator are ready to have a good day on the water.
Italian angler Samuele Ferroni and his translator are ready to have a good day on the water.
Marcelo Lozano, the Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation representative, is also all thumbs up this morning.
Marcelo Lozano, the Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation representative, is also all thumbs up this morning.
Michael McMahon of New Jersey quietly reviews his game plan for the day.
Michael McMahon of New Jersey quietly reviews his game plan for the day.
<p>Stephen Kanowski of Australia looks ready to start his day.</p>
Stephen Kanowski of Australia looks ready to start his day.
The sky has a tinge of pink as the sun rises.
The sky has a tinge of pink as the sun rises.
This peaceful river will soon be the scene of plenty of fish catches.
This peaceful river will soon be the scene of plenty of fish catches.
Tim Johnston is back at the BNC from his home state of Montana.
Tim Johnston is back at the BNC from his home state of Montana.
Anglers are waiting to take off.
Anglers are waiting to take off.
Levi McNeill of Wyoming and Roger Thomas of North Carolina swap fishing tales.
Levi McNeill of Wyoming and Roger Thomas of North Carolina swap fishing tales.
Cesar Pecellin traveled all the way from Spain to compete in the BNC.
Cesar Pecellin traveled all the way from Spain to compete in the BNC.
Jon Stewart calls off the anglers' names as they take off.
Jon Stewart calls off the anglers’ names as they take off.
Boats idle past the Nation director as he calls them off.
Boats idle past the Nation director as he calls them off.
Samuel Bounds of West Virginia is ready to go.
Samuel Bounds of West Virginia is ready to go.
Jamie Laiche of Louisiana is focused on fishing in his home state.
Jamie Laiche of Louisiana is focused on fishing in his home state.
Ray Kory of Oregon looks ready for business.
Ray Kory of Oregon looks ready for business.
The boats take off in two directions.
The boats take off in two directions.
Heading out for a day on the Ouachita River.
Heading out for a day on the Ouachita River.
Greg Vance of Iowa heads out for Day 1.
Greg Vance of Iowa heads out for Day 1.
Corey Brant of Minnesota is pumped up.
Corey Brant of Minnesota is pumped up.
Family, friends and fans line the banks, wishing the anglers well.
Family, friends and fans line the banks, wishing the anglers well.
We know who he's rooting for — Greg Vance!
We know who he’s rooting for — Greg Vance!
The final anglers head out.
The final anglers head out.
Taking off for a beautiful day in Louisiana.
Taking off for a beautiful day in Louisiana.