Locked and loaded

It was a busy scene at the locks along the Arkansas River on Day One as Elite anglers jockeyed for the best pools at the Diamond Drive.

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<p>  </p> <p> The calm before the storm as the lock anglers use to get to Pine Bluff sits closed early on Thursday.</p>
 

The calm before the storm as the lock anglers use to get to Pine Bluff sits closed early on Thursday.

<p>  </p> <p> The current on this section of the river was still strong on Day One of the Diamond Drive.</p>
 

The current on this section of the river was still strong on Day One of the Diamond Drive.

<p>  </p> <p> Current pushes up against the lock wall and the adjoining rock jetty.</p>
 

Current pushes up against the lock wall and the adjoining rock jetty.

<p>  </p> <p> The locks begin to open and Elite Series boats wait in readiness.</p>
 

The locks begin to open and Elite Series boats wait in readiness.

<p>  </p> <p> Fred Roumbanis prepares to idle out from the lock to enter the Pine Bluff pool.</p>
 

Fred Roumbanis prepares to idle out from the lock to enter the Pine Bluff pool.

<p>  </p> <p> As soon as the gates are clear, the anglers begin their charge.</p>
 

As soon as the gates are clear, the anglers begin their charge.

<p>  </p> <p> Boats jockey for position as they leave their second lock of the day on the Arkansas River.</p>
 

Boats jockey for position as they leave their second lock of the day on the Arkansas River.

<p>  </p> <p> Greg Vinson and a bunch of other boats made the long run down to Pine Bluff.</p>
 

Greg Vinson and a bunch of other boats made the long run down to Pine Bluff.

<p> Steve Kennedy made a long run hoping to move up in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.</p>
Steve Kennedy made a long run hoping to move up in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
<p>  </p> <p> The river turned rough after boats scrambled to start their day down on Pool 4.</p>
 

The river turned rough after boats scrambled to start their day down on Pool 4.

<p>  </p> <p> An exception was Kenyon Hill, who took a calm idle out from the lock on Day One of the Diamond Drive.</p> <p>                            </p>
 

An exception was Kenyon Hill, who took a calm idle out from the lock on Day One of the Diamond Drive.