Mid-Atlantic Day One launch

Divisional competitors launched this morning from Anchor Marina in Northeast, Md.

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<p> It’s quiet and peaceful at 5:15 in the morning.</p>
It’s quiet and peaceful at 5:15 in the morning.
<p> Being the first boat in the water is an honor, but it requires the anglers to cut their night a little short.</p>
Being the first boat in the water is an honor, but it requires the anglers to cut their night a little short.
<p> It isn’t long, however, before the other guys start arriving.</p>
It isn’t long, however, before the other guys start arriving.
<p> <strong>Hobie Butcher</strong>, left, of West Virginia, thinks he has seen an omen. After leading the first day of last year’s Mid-Atlantic Divisional, he was forced to withdraw because of a back injury. This year, in a blind draw, he drew the same partner (<strong>Mark Mounts</strong> from Pennsylvania) he had last year for the first day. “I’m telling the truth. It was blind luck, fair and square,” he says, sporting an ear-to-ear grin. “But I’m going to take it. My back feels pretty good, except that it’s a little sore from setting the hook on an 8-pound largemouth the other day — slipped when I jerked back. I’m going to be more careful today than I was last time.”</p>
Hobie Butcher, left, of West Virginia, thinks he has seen an omen. After leading the first day of last year’s Mid-Atlantic Divisional, he was forced to withdraw because of a back injury. This year, in a blind draw, he drew the same partner (Mark Mounts from Pennsylvania) he had last year for the first day. “I’m telling the truth. It was blind luck, fair and square,” he says, sporting an ear-to-ear grin. “But I’m going to take it. My back feels pretty good, except that it’s a little sore from setting the hook on an 8-pound largemouth the other day — slipped when I jerked back. I’m going to be more careful today than I was last time.”
<p> <strong>Mike Macdonald</strong> of Zimbabwe fished eight days after a 19-hour flight from Johannesburg, South Africa, and found the going a little tough. “We’re not used to these big stretches of water and this tidal stuff,” he said as he stretched his legs across this boat. “We found some fish up in the northeast out on the flats but I’m not so sure.” His partner, JR Knight (Maryland), had it even tougher. “I’m a local guy but I don’t feel too local right now,” he said with a worried tone in his voice. “I got two fish in practice. That’s all. And the storms yesterday didn’t help any.”</p>
Mike Macdonald of Zimbabwe fished eight days after a 19-hour flight from Johannesburg, South Africa, and found the going a little tough. “We’re not used to these big stretches of water and this tidal stuff,” he said as he stretched his legs across this boat. “We found some fish up in the northeast out on the flats but I’m not so sure.” His partner, JR Knight (Maryland), had it even tougher. “I’m a local guy but I don’t feel too local right now,” he said with a worried tone in his voice. “I got two fish in practice. That’s all. And the storms yesterday didn’t help any.”
<p> <strong>Steve Redden</strong> of Delaware, who only lives about a half-hour from the ramp, thinks the bite will be tough today. "The wind from yesterday has everything pretty stirred up,” he says almost matter-of-factly. “I don’t think we got enough rain to matter, but the water’s not right from all that wind. It’s dingy. I’d say the best bite will be on top of the shallow grass in the morning and then, after about 10 or 11 o’clock, it’ll get real tough.”</p>
Steve Redden of Delaware, who only lives about a half-hour from the ramp, thinks the bite will be tough today. “The wind from yesterday has everything pretty stirred up,” he says almost matter-of-factly. “I don’t think we got enough rain to matter, but the water’s not right from all that wind. It’s dingy. I’d say the best bite will be on top of the shallow grass in the morning and then, after about 10 or 11 o’clock, it’ll get real tough.”
<p> JR Knight is a happy camper, tough fishing or not.</p>
JR Knight is a happy camper, tough fishing or not.
<p> By 6 a.m., the B.A.S.S. stage is up and running.</p>
By 6 a.m., the B.A.S.S. stage is up and running.
<p> Sometimes it’s all about 'hurry up and wait.'</p>
Sometimes it’s all about ‘hurry up and wait.’
<p> Strategy matters.</p>
Strategy matters.
<p> We know this makes you want to go fishing!</p>
We know this makes you want to go fishing!
<p> <strong>Sandy Turner</strong>, tourism coordinator for the Cecil County Tourism, got up early to watch the launch, but she says it’s worth it. “I am not a fisherman, but we have hosted a number of tournaments and really like supporting the fishing tournaments. They’re great for our community and we have a wonderful fishery. We're glad to share it with folks. We’ve hosted a number of B.A.S.S. tournaments out of this location. We really look forward to being a part of it."</p>
Sandy Turner, tourism coordinator for the Cecil County Tourism, got up early to watch the launch, but she says it’s worth it. “I am not a fisherman, but we have hosted a number of tournaments and really like supporting the fishing tournaments. They’re great for our community and we have a wonderful fishery. We’re glad to share it with folks. We’ve hosted a number of B.A.S.S. tournaments out of this location. We really look forward to being a part of it.”
<p> The playing of our national anthem is a serious matter. No angler takes our freedoms lightly.</p>
The playing of our national anthem is a serious matter. No angler takes our freedoms lightly.
<p> We’ve all seen it a thousand times. Still, it’s one of the most beautiful sights on planet Earth — our flag.</p>
We’ve all seen it a thousand times. Still, it’s one of the most beautiful sights on planet Earth — our flag.
<p> Every boat is checked before it’s allowed to compete. That makes it fair for everyone.</p>
Every boat is checked before it’s allowed to compete. That makes it fair for everyone.
<p> B.A.S.S. staffer Eric Nichols checks the contender list as boats move through the line.</p>
B.A.S.S. staffer Eric Nichols checks the contender list as boats move through the line.
<p> Tournament operations are pretty much nonstop for Jon Stewart, who just finished managing the Eastern Divisional last week.</p>
Tournament operations are pretty much nonstop for Jon Stewart, who just finished managing the Eastern Divisional last week.
<p> The last boat to leave — Jose Rivera (New Jersey) and Jerod Harman (West Virginia) â€” signals the start of the first day 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional.</p>
The last boat to leave — Jose Rivera (New Jersey) and Jerod Harman (West Virginia) â€” signals the start of the first day 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional.