College: Day 1 on Folsom

Twenty teams from the West set out on California's Folsom Reservoir today for Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Western Regional.

Teams from all over the West launched this morning on Folsom Reservoir for Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Western Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Teams from all over the West launched this morning on Folsom Reservoir for Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Western Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops.
One team even included a dog. This is Ziggy.
One team even included a dog. This is Ziggy.
Competitors pulled up to the dock ...
Competitors pulled up to the dock …
... after loading in at the Granite Bay Activity Center ramp.
… after loading in at the Granite Bay Activity Center ramp.
Jacob Wall and Ryan Habenitch of University of Oregon were ready with their Red Bulls.
Jacob Wall and Ryan Habenitch of University of Oregon were ready with their Red Bulls.
Alex Robbins and Rudy Directo of Humboldt State University let the charge as the first boat in the lineup.
Alex Robbins and Rudy Directo of Humboldt State University let the charge as the first boat in the lineup.
The sun began to rise over the mountains.
The sun began to rise over the mountains.
Game faces on ...
Game faces on …
... and the anglers begin filing out.
… and the anglers begin filing out.
Jarid Gabbert and Taylor Throop of Eastern Washington go through the check-in line.
Jarid Gabbert and Taylor Throop of Eastern Washington go through the check-in line.
Ryan Habenitch and Jacob Wall are all smiles ...
Ryan Habenitch and Jacob Wall are all smiles …
... as Habenitch's father is on hand to see them off.
… as Habenitch’s father is on hand to see them off.
Ziggy helps drive as Adam McAndrews and Joey Fortina go over their check-in time with officials.
Ziggy helps drive as Adam McAndrews and Joey Fortina go over their check-in time with officials.
The ramps here are set up to handle California's notorious droughts. There are ramps at multiple levels, two above the one we took off at today, and others are below the surface of the water for when it gets even lower.
The ramps here are set up to handle California’s notorious droughts. There are ramps at multiple levels, two above the one we took off at today, and others are below the surface of the water for when it gets even lower.
Wyatt Whitten is taking off solo today. His partner, Chase Cochran, is recovering from a serious bout of dehydration overnight.
Wyatt Whitten is taking off solo today. His partner, Chase Cochran, is recovering from a serious bout of dehydration overnight.
Whitten is the last to leave.
Whitten is the last to leave.
The turkeys are large and in charge. And we learned that if you honk your car horn, they'll immediately gobble in unison.
The turkeys are large and in charge. And we learned that if you honk your car horn, they’ll immediately gobble in unison.
Folsom looks like a desert with an oasis in the center.
Folsom looks like a desert with an oasis in the center.
This the parking lot and ramp we used today from the vantage point of the regular parking lot and ramp used at higher pool.
This the parking lot and ramp we used today from the vantage point of the regular parking lot and ramp used at higher pool.
Mansions climb out of the California hillsides.
Mansions climb out of the California hillsides.
And the rocks? That's why they call this Granite Bay.
And the rocks? That’s why they call this Granite Bay.
Michael Woods and Chas Brannon are the first anglers we pull up on.
Michael Woods and Chas Brannon are the first anglers we pull up on.
They have a couple of bass in their livewell by about 8 a.m.
They have a couple of bass in their livewell by about 8 a.m.
Both are spots, both around 1 1/2 to 2 pounds.
Both are spots, both around 1 1/2 to 2 pounds.
They've been working this same area all morning.
They’ve been working this same area all morning.
With a view of lots of ...
With a view of lots of …
... the granite that gives this place its name.
… the granite that gives this place its name.
The anglers hail from Chico State ...
The anglers hail from Chico State …
... which sent five teams to the Western Regional.
… which sent five teams to the Western Regional.
If you have to go to the bathroom while you're on Folsom, you have a very fancy place to do it.
If you have to go to the bathroom while you’re on Folsom, you have a very fancy place to do it.
We began to roll up on Kevin Chen and Koulton Westbrook ...
We began to roll up on Kevin Chen and Koulton Westbrook …
... and they were catching one.
… and they were catching one.
They already have a limit ...
They already have a limit …
... so it's culling time.
… so it’s culling time.
The Chico State team shows off some that are in their livewell ...
The Chico State team shows off some that are in their livewell …
... and they're on their third cull already.
… and they’re on their third cull already.
Another angler passes by ...
Another angler passes by …
... and the San Jose State team is in the background.
… and the San Jose State team is in the background.
The San Jose State team is beating the rocks just across the way from Chen and Westbrook.
The San Jose State team is beating the rocks just across the way from Chen and Westbrook.
Like their comrades in easy sight of them, they have a limit.
Like their comrades in easy sight of them, they have a limit.
Nothing huge, said McAndrews ...
Nothing huge, said McAndrews …
... but they're making progress.
… but they’re making progress.
Ziggy is keeping watch.
Ziggy is keeping watch.
Wyatt Whitten passes by ...
Wyatt Whitten passes by …
... and you can see how close we still are to Chen and Westbrook.
… and you can see how close we still are to Chen and Westbrook.
This eagle's nest houses a bald eagle that's been flying around over the San Jose State team's heads.
This eagle’s nest houses a bald eagle that’s been flying around over the San Jose State team’s heads.
A little clip up into the North Fork, we find Max Kitzmiller and Eric Landmark.
A little clip up into the North Fork, we find Max Kitzmiller and Eric Landmark.
The Oregon State team is sandwiched between big rocks, on the bank and in the water.
The Oregon State team is sandwiched between big rocks, on the bank and in the water.
This bank has provided great scenery for them today ...
This bank has provided great scenery for them today …
... not because of the rocks but because of the coyotes they've seen trolling the banks looking for geese.
… not because of the rocks but because of the coyotes they’ve seen trolling the banks looking for geese.
The two only have a 14-incher in the boat.
The two only have a 14-incher in the boat.
They're considering making a move.
They’re considering making a move.
We're only 3 miles or so from launch, but they've been pretty alone, seeing only four other boats from this spot.
We’re only 3 miles or so from launch, but they’ve been pretty alone, seeing only four other boats from this spot.
So it's back to focusing ...
So it’s back to focusing …
... and working on filling up that livewell.
… and working on filling up that livewell.
This is Eddie Murphy's house, according to my driver, past California B.A.S.S. Nation president Andrew Sayles.
This is Eddie Murphy’s house, according to my driver, past California B.A.S.S. Nation president Andrew Sayles.
It's one of many big ones up on the hill. Maybe Murphy will come down to a weigh-in! We're not holding our breath, but it's a fun thought.
It’s one of many big ones up on the hill. Maybe Murphy will come down to a weigh-in! We’re not holding our breath, but it’s a fun thought.
You're looking at millions of dollars in real estate.
You’re looking at millions of dollars in real estate.
These cormorants are guarding the area with their lives.
These cormorants are guarding the area with their lives.
Eric Lee and Dalton Taylor of University of Oregon are in the shadow of Murphy's house.
Eric Lee and Dalton Taylor of University of Oregon are in the shadow of Murphy’s house.
But it hasn't given them any good luck. They don't have any fish in the boat yet.
But it hasn’t given them any good luck. They don’t have any fish in the boat yet.
There's wildlife everywhere. We hope this fowl knows the coyotes are looking for a goose-sized meal.
There’s wildlife everywhere. We hope this fowl knows the coyotes are looking for a goose-sized meal.
Across the way are Katie Tanner and Daniel Marshal, also University of Oregon Ducks.
Across the way are Katie Tanner and Daniel Marshal, also University of Oregon Ducks.
They have three in the boat.
They have three in the boat.
They showed us their best ...
They showed us their best …
... but Tanner laments that one of the bass was a baby, so small it barely measured.
… but Tanner laments that one of the bass was a baby, so small it barely measured.
It was cool at launch, but the weather has moved up into the 80s with full sun.
It was cool at launch, but the weather has moved up into the 80s with full sun.
The pair have been trying their hand at this spot for a while ...
The pair have been trying their hand at this spot for a while …
... and their teammates, Lee and Taylor, have moved a little north -- between where they were and where Tanner and Marshal are.
… and their teammates, Lee and Taylor, have moved a little north — between where they were and where Tanner and Marshal are.
Folsom Lake offers lots of desert setting ...
Folsom Lake offers lots of desert setting …
... with little pops of color like the red banks ...
… with little pops of color like the red banks …
... and the purple flora, which I tried to name lilacs or lavender but Sayles informed me they're just
… and the purple flora, which I tried to name lilacs or lavender but Sayles informed me they’re just “purple weeds.”
Rudy Directo and Alex Robbins of Humboldt State were at a spot closer to launch.
Rudy Directo and Alex Robbins of Humboldt State were at a spot closer to launch.
It's been a rough day as far as the fishing goes.
It’s been a rough day as far as the fishing goes.
They have zero in the livewell ...
They have zero in the livewell …
... as a result of short fish and missed opportunities.
… as a result of short fish and missed opportunities.
They've been in and around this area all morning.
They’ve been in and around this area all morning.
But they're upbeat ...
But they’re upbeat …
... and working on scratching out a few bites.
… and working on scratching out a few bites.
Just south of the Granite Bay launch area is another real estate haven ...
Just south of the Granite Bay launch area is another real estate haven …
... populated today by Wyatt Whitten of Oregon State.
… populated today by Wyatt Whitten of Oregon State.
Whitten didn't get to pre-fish Folsom. He had left that to his partner, Chase Cochran.
Whitten didn’t get to pre-fish Folsom. He had left that to his partner, Chase Cochran.
Cochran is recovering from an overnight trip to the emergency room for dehydration. Whitten is having to manage it on his own today, hoping that his teammate gave him enough direction to pull it off.
Cochran is recovering from an overnight trip to the emergency room for dehydration. Whitten is having to manage it on his own today, hoping that his teammate gave him enough direction to pull it off.
Another boat blasts by as we head in. Watch the weigh-in live on Bassmaster.com at 2 p.m PT, 5 p.m. ET.
Another boat blasts by as we head in. Watch the weigh-in live on Bassmaster.com at 2 p.m PT, 5 p.m. ET.