College: Cherokee Lake registration

The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops heads to the mountains of East Tennessee as 160 teams visit Cherokee Lake for the week.

Carson Newman University hosted the meeting and also is a new team to the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series.

Pointing the way were flyers and posters of the College Bracket Champion John Garrett.

Inside of the campus building were the normal banners leading the way.

Luke Stoner of Carhartt and Dynamic Sponsorships had the first booth in line as anglers walked in.

They were giving away Carhartt shirts with the College Bass brand on them.

They are a hot commodity at every college event and they come in multiple sizes and colors for anglers.

They also had 2 different Carhartt designed hats as well.

Toyota gave away key floats for boat keys or vehicle keys and also sun buffs.

East Carolina (left) and Penn State (right) arrive and get in line.

The University of Tennessee is from just down the road and have teams participating this week.

Phoenix Boats supplied hats for anglers to wear on their next fishing trip as well.

Bill Carson of Johnson Outdoors (Minn Kota and Humminbird) teaches anglers about the benefits of Humminbird technology on the new Helix units.

The tournament staff also had multiple goodies from Mustang Survival that they were giving away to a couple lucky anglers.

Campbellsville University hosted the 2016 College National Championship and they have numerous teams participating this week in hopes of making it to the big dance in 2017.

Carson Orellana (left) of Strayer University is looking to go to his 3rd consecutive National Championship fishing solo, which could possibly be a record.

The man from the poster is here in person. Garrett is fishing the Opens as well as the College Series. He’s been a busy man as he also fished the Classic just a month and a half ago.

Roughly 160 teams should be participating this week, which marks the 3rd regional this year with 100+ boats.

Anglers also were fed before the meeting as they grabbed some pizza.

And also some water or gatorade.

Carson Newman put on a great registration venue for the teams.

West Virginia had a table full of hungry anglers.

Tournament Director Hank Weldon gets everything started at the meeting as he introduces a few speakers.

A Wildlife and Fisheries officer spoke to the anglers about the high water conditions at Cherokee and to be aware of any possible debris floating in the river.

Josh Oliver of Auburn is focused in.

Maurice Hudson of Penn State was part of the winning team from this regional last year.

Sam Glenn of UNC Charlotte is hoping to get back to the National Championship again.

Bill Carson of Johnson Outdoors explains to the anglers about the discount program they offer to the college anglers. It’s a hefty one to help out the young fishermen. He also reminds the anglers that Mother’s Day is on Sunday.

Hunter Louden realizes Mother’s Day is Sunday after this event… sorry mom!

Luke Stoner explains the Toyota Bonus Bucks program and how you can get paid by driving the right tow vehicle. It is a long standing program at the Elite Series level and has been extending down to the College Series too.

Zeke Gossett of Jefferson State in Alabama likes what he hears.

Meanwhile, Jordan Wise of East Carolina rehydrates after a hot day on the water.