Day 1 with Browning

Spend the day with Stephen Browning on Day 1 of the Evan Williams Bourbon Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.

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Our Day 1 action found us upriver, close to where Lake Ontario runs into the St. Lawrence River. Early in the morning, many of the anglers, like Marty Robinson were making quick stops.
Our Day 1 action found us upriver, close to where Lake Ontario runs into the St. Lawrence River. Early in the morning, many of the anglers, like Marty Robinson were making quick stops.
Hitting key areas and then moving quickly on up the St. Lawrence River.
Hitting key areas and then moving quickly on up the St. Lawrence River.
Stephen Browning, though, was moving at a slower pace. And by the time it started raining, he started catching.
Stephen Browning, though, was moving at a slower pace. And by the time it started raining, he started catching.
The Day 1 early morning storm poured for than an hour forcing anglers to cover up in rain suits.
The Day 1 early morning storm poured for than an hour forcing anglers to cover up in rain suits.
But there was no question what Browning was up to when he went to the side of the boat.
But there was no question what Browning was up to when he went to the side of the boat.
And he came up with a 4-pound class largemouth.
And he came up with a 4-pound class largemouth.
A fist pump in the pouring rain and the fish went to the livewell, where it was joined by two others during the heavy rain.
A fist pump in the pouring rain and the fish went to the livewell, where it was joined by two others during the heavy rain.
After an hour, the rain started to slack and Browning was able to uncover his head.
After an hour, the rain started to slack and Browning was able to uncover his head.
but then the rain would pick back up again.
but then the rain would pick back up again.
And Browning would start catching them again.
And Browning would start catching them again.
This one came as the rain intensified,
This one came as the rain intensified,
but was big enough to make getting wet worth it.
but was big enough to make getting wet worth it.
Browning would take two opportunities to swing this fish into the boat.
Browning would take two opportunities to swing this fish into the boat.
On the first one he was premature.
On the first one he was premature.
But on the second swing, his timing was perfect.
But on the second swing, his timing was perfect.
Giving him his fourth fish of the day.
Giving him his fourth fish of the day.
The Arkansas angler would keep working his area.
The Arkansas angler would keep working his area.
And hook up again.
And hook up again.
Finishing out his limit.
Finishing out his limit.
Strangely enough, in an event that was supposed to be all about big smallmouth, all of his initial limit was largemouth.
Strangely enough, in an event that was supposed to be all about big smallmouth, all of his initial limit was largemouth.
By the time the rain had stopped, tour boats could be seen making their way up and down the St. Lawrence River.
By the time the rain had stopped, tour boats could be seen making their way up and down the St. Lawrence River.
And Browning would keep working up and down his portion of the river as well.
And Browning would keep working up and down his portion of the river as well.
Sometimes casting sidearms to the right side.
Sometimes casting sidearms to the right side.
And other times to the left.
And other times to the left.
And every once in a while hooking up with a keeper largemouth.
And every once in a while hooking up with a keeper largemouth.
This one dogged down the boat from the front to the back.
This one dogged down the boat from the front to the back.
And then moved from the back to the front.
And then moved from the back to the front.
Before repeating it's initial trip to the back and being pulled aboard.
Before repeating it’s initial trip to the back and being pulled aboard.
The hefty largemouth, after a cull, would help push Browning close to the 18-pound mark.
The hefty largemouth, after a cull, would help push Browning close to the 18-pound mark.
And in the early minutes of the event would put him in the top five of the BassTrakk standings.
And in the early minutes of the event would put him in the top five of the BassTrakk standings.
That type of movement had Browning smiling big.
That type of movement had Browning smiling big.
He would continue to work up and down the river, even as big ships passed by.
He would continue to work up and down the river, even as big ships passed by.
And as he passed by border check stations.
And as he passed by border check stations.
Other anglers, like Terry Scroggins, would stop close by for a few moments.
Other anglers, like Terry Scroggins, would stop close by for a few moments.
But Browning was basically lost in his own little piece of the St. Lawrence.
But Browning was basically lost in his own little piece of the St. Lawrence.
Where keeper largemouth after keeper largemouth would be caught.
Where keeper largemouth after keeper largemouth would be caught.
All of them adding a few ounces to his overall weight.
All of them adding a few ounces to his overall weight.
as he inched closer to a 20-pound sack.
as he inched closer to a 20-pound sack.
He would fish by points,
He would fish by points,
Under the watchful gaze of a lion.
Under the watchful gaze of a lion.
And even his a flagpole, flying Old Glory near the border of the United States and Canada.
And even his a flagpole, flying Old Glory near the border of the United States and Canada.
And he would get bit too.
And he would get bit too.
This one making a big jump.
This one making a big jump.
It was Browning's first smallmouth of the day.
It was Browning’s first smallmouth of the day.
And it took him around the back of the boat.
And it took him around the back of the boat.
And to the other side.
And to the other side.
Before coming aboard and helping the cause.
Before coming aboard and helping the cause.
The Canadian spectators barely flinched.
The Canadian spectators barely flinched.
By the end of the day, he had produced a 21 pound, 2 ounce stringer that put him firmly in the top 10. And able take a comfortable ride downstream past big ships.
By the end of the day, he had produced a 21 pound, 2 ounce stringer that put him firmly in the top 10. And able take a comfortable ride downstream past big ships.
Amazing homes and castles.
Amazing homes and castles.
Even lake homes that filled the entire island where they were located like this one.
Even lake homes that filled the entire island where they were located like this one.
And this one too. the island was just big enough to house the small cabin and still have room for some flat rocks.
And this one too. the island was just big enough to house the small cabin and still have room for some flat rocks.