College Championship: Tour of Bemidji

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Wednesday dawned and the final day of practice for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship at Bemidji Lake.
Wednesday dawned and the final day of practice for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship at Bemidji Lake.
Teams lined up and prepared for the day just like a normal tournament.
Teams lined up and prepared for the day just like a normal tournament.
Patrick Walters and Tyler All of South Carolina are boat one.
Patrick Walters and Tyler All of South Carolina are boat one.
The Anthem is played and the mock takeoff is ready to go.
The Anthem is played and the mock takeoff is ready to go.
The Western Regional winners lined up in third.
The Western Regional winners lined up in third.
Josh Butts and Reid Conner of Wallace State wait in line.
Josh Butts and Reid Conner of Wallace State wait in line.
Takeoff is underway and teams funnel out with 8 more hours to figure out the Championship fishery.
Takeoff is underway and teams funnel out with 8 more hours to figure out the Championship fishery.
Host school Bemidji State has two teams here competing this week. This is Luke Gillund and Robby Troje.
Host school Bemidji State has two teams here competing this week. This is Luke Gillund and Robby Troje.
They were followed shortly after by the Swanson brothers, Mitch and Thor.
They were followed shortly after by the Swanson brothers, Mitch and Thor.
A beautiful sunrise rose across the lake
A beautiful sunrise rose across the lake
Austin Handley and Caleb Wozniak of Auburn look to make the Top 4 bracket like 2016.
Austin Handley and Caleb Wozniak of Auburn look to make the Top 4 bracket like 2016.
Noah Pescitelli and Sean Hall of SCAD roll through.
Noah Pescitelli and Sean Hall of SCAD roll through.
Hunter Freeman and Thomas Soileau of Louisiana Monroe come by. ULM has multiple teams here this week.
Hunter Freeman and Thomas Soileau of Louisiana Monroe come by. ULM has multiple teams here this week.
Alan McGuckin jumps off Wisconsin-Whitewater's boat. You can check out his story from this morning,
Alan McGuckin jumps off Wisconsin-Whitewater’s boat. You can check out his story from this morning, “College: Heart over horsepower.”
John Garrett and Brian Pahl hope to get to the bracket once again. Garrett has been the college representative in 2017.
John Garrett and Brian Pahl hope to get to the bracket once again. Garrett has been the college representative in 2017.
Colby Ogden and Brandon Simoneaux of Lamar have their rally glasses on today.
Colby Ogden and Brandon Simoneaux of Lamar have their rally glasses on today.
West Virginia thinks it's a tad chilly this morning. Temps were in the 50's unlike most of the southeast which is in the middle of a heat wave.
West Virginia thinks it’s a tad chilly this morning. Temps were in the 50’s unlike most of the southeast which is in the middle of a heat wave.
KJ Queen and Evan Owrey of Bethel get their day started.
KJ Queen and Evan Owrey of Bethel get their day started.
There are plenty of bridges passing over canals and rivers on this chain of lakes.
There are plenty of bridges passing over canals and rivers on this chain of lakes.
There are numerous types of cover to pick from.
There are numerous types of cover to pick from.
Sheldon Rogge and Travis Blenn of Kansas State idle through one of the many no wake zones.
Sheldon Rogge and Travis Blenn of Kansas State idle through one of the many no wake zones.
There are some pristine conditions and cover to choose from.
There are some pristine conditions and cover to choose from.
The Carr brothers idle to a new spot.
The Carr brothers idle to a new spot.
They are floating on water somewhere within the reeds.
They are floating on water somewhere within the reeds.
The second SCAD team to qualify is Daniel Kennedy and Cody Stahl
The second SCAD team to qualify is Daniel Kennedy and Cody Stahl
Stahl reties as they idle.
Stahl reties as they idle.
John Garrett found a secluded ramp to launch from this morning.
John Garrett found a secluded ramp to launch from this morning.
There is a
There is a “No wake, no wash” rule for every idling area.
Occasional lily pads grace the fields of reeds.
Occasional lily pads grace the fields of reeds.
Mix in some wood and there are plenty of places fish can hide.
Mix in some wood and there are plenty of places fish can hide.
There are docks as well around the lakes and rivers.
There are docks as well around the lakes and rivers.
A Golden Eagle flies above.
A Golden Eagle flies above.
And then lands on it's nest and has a perfect perch over the river.
And then lands on it’s nest and has a perfect perch over the river.
Meanwhile anglers can get quite sleepy while idling through the long no wake zones.
Meanwhile anglers can get quite sleepy while idling through the long no wake zones.
We could see a push pole factor this week.
We could see a push pole factor this week.
It all starts Thursday morning at 6 a.m. CT at Paul Bunyan park.
It all starts Thursday morning at 6 a.m. CT at Paul Bunyan park.