Day One launch on St. Lawrence

And we're off! The Elites are eager and ready to tackle Day One on St. Lawrence.

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<p>Hank Cherry drops his trolling motor after launching his boat Thursday morning for the start of the Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River.</p>
Hank Cherry drops his trolling motor after launching his boat Thursday morning for the start of the Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River.
<p>A young fan shows off his autographs on the top of his hat at the Thursday morning take-off.</p>
A young fan shows off his autographs on the top of his hat at the Thursday morning take-off.
<p>Michael Iaconelli visits with a fan while getting his boat ready to launch.</p>
Michael Iaconelli visits with a fan while getting his boat ready to launch.
<p>A fan captures the morning action.</p>
A fan captures the morning action.
<p>As the sun peaks over the trees, Elite anglers get their gear ready for the start of the Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River.</p>
As the sun peaks over the trees, Elite anglers get their gear ready for the start of the Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River.
<p>Anglers get their boats in position for the take off.</p>
Anglers get their boats in position for the take off.
<p>Three young fans watch the morning from a nearby hill.</p>
Three young fans watch the morning from a nearby hill.
<p>Fans line the banks as the take off nears.</p>
Fans line the banks as the take off nears.
<p>Sondra Rankin of Livingston Lures shoots video of the morning launch.</p>
Sondra Rankin of Livingston Lures shoots video of the morning launch.
<p>Ish Monroe sits in Fletcher Shryock’s boat, waiting to launch.</p>
Ish Monroe sits in Fletcher Shryock’s boat, waiting to launch.
<p>Gerald Swindle jokes around while waiting for his turn to launch.</p>
Gerald Swindle jokes around while waiting for his turn to launch.
<p>Hank Cherry and Terry Scroggins wait for the take-off.</p>
Hank Cherry and Terry Scroggins wait for the take-off.
<p>Boats line the bank waiting for the start of the Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River.</p>
Boats line the bank waiting for the start of the Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River.
<p>Waiting for the take off, Elite anglers make last-minute adjustments to their tackle.</p>
Waiting for the take off, Elite anglers make last-minute adjustments to their tackle.
<p>Nearby fans watch the anglers get ready for the start.<br />  </p>
Nearby fans watch the anglers get ready for the start.
 
<p>Bernie Schultz cleans his glasses before the day begins.</p>
Bernie Schultz cleans his glasses before the day begins.
<p>Fred Roumbanis jokes with another angler as he gets his boat in position to start.</p>
Fred Roumbanis jokes with another angler as he gets his boat in position to start.
<p>As the sun shines over the horizon, Elite anglers move their boats into position around the take-off dock.</p>
As the sun shines over the horizon, Elite anglers move their boats into position around the take-off dock.
<p>Hundreds of fans line the bank for the Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River.</p>
Hundreds of fans line the bank for the Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River.
<p>The Rigid Lighting boat sits above the take-off area.</p>
The Rigid Lighting boat sits above the take-off area.
<p>Randy Howell gets his gear ready for the start of the day.</p>
Randy Howell gets his gear ready for the start of the day.
<p>Yusuki Miyasaki and Chris Bowes stand at attention for the National Anthem.</p>
Yusuki Miyasaki and Chris Bowes stand at attention for the National Anthem.
<p>Ish Monroe is held in place and waiting for his opportunity to take off.</p>
Ish Monroe is held in place and waiting for his opportunity to take off.
<p>Max Leatherwood checks out boats from the take-off dock.</p>
Max Leatherwood checks out boats from the take-off dock.
<p>Dennis Tietje gets his livewells open for the pre-tournament check-out process.</p>
Dennis Tietje gets his livewells open for the pre-tournament check-out process.
<p>Fletcher Shryock idles through the take-off area.</p>
Fletcher Shryock idles through the take-off area.
<p>Aaron Martens flashes a big smile as he idles out of the take-off area.</p>
Aaron Martens flashes a big smile as he idles out of the take-off area.
<p>Jon Stewart watches as boats idle to the take off point while Sondra Rankin captures the process in video.</p>
Jon Stewart watches as boats idle to the take off point while Sondra Rankin captures the process in video.
<p>Jon Stewart shields his eyes from the sun as boats make their way out in the St. Lawrence River.</p>
Jon Stewart shields his eyes from the sun as boats make their way out in the St. Lawrence River.