Day One launch on the James

It's a clear start on Day One on the James River in Richmond, Va.

Posted on
<p>With a 5:30am blast-off of the 2013 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #1, competitors launched in the dark, aided by a variety of onboard lighting systems.</p>
With a 5:30am blast-off of the 2013 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #1, competitors launched in the dark, aided by a variety of onboard lighting systems.
<p>Elite Series pro Kurt Dove backs his BK Racing rig into the James River.</p>
Elite Series pro Kurt Dove backs his BK Racing rig into the James River.
<p>The James River is a long drive from Brandon Palaniuk’s Idaho home.</p>
The James River is a long drive from Brandon Palaniuk’s Idaho home.
<p>A spry Randy Howell hops into his Kings Home Triton.</p>
A spry Randy Howell hops into his Kings Home Triton.
<p> Should any competitor’s boat be disabled, the Tow Boat US stands at the ready.</p>
 Should any competitor’s boat be disabled, the Tow Boat US stands at the ready.
<p>The confines of Osborne Landing were crowded with competitors’ boats.</p>
The confines of Osborne Landing were crowded with competitors’ boats.
<p>Chris Bowes called out numbers and weigh-in times to ensure an orderly launch.</p>
Chris Bowes called out numbers and weigh-in times to ensure an orderly launch.
<p>Amongst a sea of illuminated navigational lights, boats jockeyed for position at first light.</p>
Amongst a sea of illuminated navigational lights, boats jockeyed for position at first light.
<p>In addition to avoiding floating debris resulting from the recent storms, competitors will have to dodge the river’s commercial barge traffic.</p>
In addition to avoiding floating debris resulting from the recent storms, competitors will have to dodge the river’s commercial barge traffic.
<p>Mike Iaconelli is dwarfed by a James River barge.</p>
Mike Iaconelli is dwarfed by a James River barge.
<p>Fans on the dock tried to capture images of friends, family members and angling heroes.</p>
Fans on the dock tried to capture images of friends, family members and angling heroes.
<p>Brandon Palaniuk idles toward the take-off point.</p>
Brandon Palaniuk idles toward the take-off point.
<p>After idling upriver past tournament officials, most competitors made abrupt u-turns and headed down the James.</p>
After idling upriver past tournament officials, most competitors made abrupt u-turns and headed down the James.
<p>This Labrador retriever didn’t seem impressed by the wealth of Bassmaster Classic champions, Elite Series pros and local talent in this week’s field.</p>
This Labrador retriever didn’t seem impressed by the wealth of Bassmaster Classic champions, Elite Series pros and local talent in this week’s field.
<p>Skies were relatively clear at first light, but heavy storms are expected this afternoon.</p>
Skies were relatively clear at first light, but heavy storms are expected this afternoon.
<p>Kelly Pratt, who won here in 2011, is considered one of the odds-on favorites any time there’s money on the line on the James River.</p>
Kelly Pratt, who won here in 2011, is considered one of the odds-on favorites any time there’s money on the line on the James River.
<p>Dave Lefebre hopes that the James River is “G-r-r-r-eat!”</p>
Dave Lefebre hopes that the James River is “G-r-r-r-eat!”
<p>No one wants to use the services of Tow Boat US, but they’re ready in case of emergency.</p>
No one wants to use the services of Tow Boat US, but they’re ready in case of emergency.
<p>Trait Crist hopes to be the first woman to win a Bassmaster Open tournament.</p>
Trait Crist hopes to be the first woman to win a Bassmaster Open tournament.
<p> The staff of Tow Boat US can salvage what would otherwise be a lost tournament for any angler in the field who suffers mechanical difficulties.</p>
 The staff of Tow Boat US can salvage what would otherwise be a lost tournament for any angler in the field who suffers mechanical difficulties.