Day One launch on Clear Lake

The western B.A.S.S. Nation anglers hit the water for the first divisional of 2013.

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<p>Contenders put in this morning for the first launch of the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional on Clear Lake.</p>
Contenders put in this morning for the first launch of the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional on Clear Lake.
<p>It was a crisp morning at launch, but it will warm up to the 80s during competition today.</p>
It was a crisp morning at launch, but it will warm up to the 80s during competition today.
<p>B.A.S.S. staff members meet before launch begins.</p>
B.A.S.S. staff members meet before launch begins.
<p>Curtis Spindler of Montana sends a text before he preps his tackle.</p>
Curtis Spindler of Montana sends a text before he preps his tackle.
<p>Josh Unruh of Wyoming heads toward his boat.</p>
Josh Unruh of Wyoming heads toward his boat.
<p>Jared Spickelmier of Idaho makes some last-minute preparations.</p>
Jared Spickelmier of Idaho makes some last-minute preparations.
<p>Steve Loreng of Washington and 2012 Bassmaster Classic qualifier Josh Polfer of Idaho have a laugh at launch.</p>
Steve Loreng of Washington and 2012 Bassmaster Classic qualifier Josh Polfer of Idaho have a laugh at launch.
<p>2010 Bassmaster Classic qualifier Don Hogue of Washington pulls his boat up for staging.</p>
2010 Bassmaster Classic qualifier Don Hogue of Washington pulls his boat up for staging.
<p>Steve Wilson of California organizes his tackle.</p>
Steve Wilson of California organizes his tackle.
<p>Clint Johanson of Washington and Don Allphin of Utah talk strategy.</p>
Clint Johanson of Washington and Don Allphin of Utah talk strategy.
<p>Jeremy Percifield of Washington readies his rods.</p>
Jeremy Percifield of Washington readies his rods.
<p>Allen McCaw, Colorado, and Keith Ferlanie, Nevada, are looking forward to a good day on the water.</p>
Allen McCaw, Colorado, and Keith Ferlanie, Nevada, are looking forward to a good day on the water.
<p>Kevin Gray of Oregon gets his tackle together.</p>
Kevin Gray of Oregon gets his tackle together.
<p>2013 Bassmaster Classic qualifier Andy Bravence of Arizona and his co-angler, Jim Conlin of Montana, joked that they planned to take the lead by only bringing in their five biggest fish today.</p>
2013 Bassmaster Classic qualifier Andy Bravence of Arizona and his co-angler, Jim Conlin of Montana, joked that they planned to take the lead by only bringing in their five biggest fish today.
<p>Kevin Pangle of Oregon said he’s looking forward to today.</p>
Kevin Pangle of Oregon said he’s looking forward to today.
<p>Chase Ratchford of Washington checks his line.</p>
Chase Ratchford of Washington checks his line.
<p>Greg Pink is excited about fishing Clear Lake.</p>
Greg Pink is excited about fishing Clear Lake.
<p>Boats set up for staging.</p>
Boats set up for staging.
<p>Victor Lord of Arizona and Jonathan Bradford of California are paired up for the first day.</p>
Victor Lord of Arizona and Jonathan Bradford of California are paired up for the first day.
<p>The release boat in the foreground awaits big fish this afternoon.</p>
The release boat in the foreground awaits big fish this afternoon.
<p>Don Welch of California and Terry Belden of New Mexico are in high spirits this morning.</p>
Don Welch of California and Terry Belden of New Mexico are in high spirits this morning.
<p>Jamel Johnson, an alternate for the California team, watches his teammates get ready for launch.</p>
Jamel Johnson, an alternate for the California team, watches his teammates get ready for launch.
<p>Boats begin to line up.</p>
Boats begin to line up.
<p>Jason Hemminger of California and Todd Woolard of Oregon are the first boat in the lineup.</p>
Jason Hemminger of California and Todd Woolard of Oregon are the first boat in the lineup.
<p>Contenders pause for the national anthem.</p>
Contenders pause for the national anthem.
<p>The first boats leave for Day One on Clear Lake.</p>
The first boats leave for Day One on Clear Lake.
<p>Anglers in the second and third flights wait their turn.</p>
Anglers in the second and third flights wait their turn.
<p>The last boats head out...</p>
The last boats head out…
<p>...and the first day of the divisional has begun.</p>
…and the first day of the divisional has begun.