Nation: Day 1 begins

Nation anglers begin Day 1 of the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional.

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A line of boats and tow vehicles lines up at 5 a.m. at Palatine Park for Day 1 of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional.
A line of boats and tow vehicles lines up at 5 a.m. at Palatine Park for Day 1 of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional.
Longtime B.A.S.S. Nation member Jim Summers of West Virginia assists anglers at the ramp.
Longtime B.A.S.S. Nation member Jim Summers of West Virginia assists anglers at the ramp.
Jerod Harman, conservation director for West Virginia, is staged at the ramp to provide livewell ice for fish care.
Jerod Harman, conservation director for West Virginia, is staged at the ramp to provide livewell ice for fish care.
Harmon places some of the ice in zip loc bags for reducing ambient livewell temperature for better fish care.
Harmon places some of the ice in zip loc bags for reducing ambient livewell temperature for better fish care.
Harmon is at the ramp prepared to assist anyone who needs additional ice.
Harmon is at the ramp prepared to assist anyone who needs additional ice.
The first flight launches at the ramp prior to the start of Day 1.
The first flight launches at the ramp prior to the start of Day 1.
The weigh-in site is aglow in the pre-dawn light at Palatine Park.
The weigh-in site is aglow in the pre-dawn light at Palatine Park.
Downtown Fairmont looms in the background as the first flight prepares for takeoff.
Downtown Fairmont looms in the background as the first flight prepares for takeoff.
B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart watches as the first flight assembles on the Monongahela River.
B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart watches as the first flight assembles on the Monongahela River.
Safety checks are underway prior to the takeoff.
Safety checks are underway prior to the takeoff.
Boats are checked for valid insurance and the operation of livewell pumps.
Boats are checked for valid insurance and the operation of livewell pumps.
The Rigid Industries 800 Halo Light is must-have gear for the B.A.S.S. staff.
The Rigid Industries 800 Halo Light is must-have gear for the B.A.S.S. staff.
Anglers make last minute gear preparations before the day begins.
Anglers make last minute gear preparations before the day begins.
The first flight is ready for takeoff.
The first flight is ready for takeoff.
Jon Stewart checks the boat list to being lining up boats in numerical order.
Jon Stewart checks the boat list to being lining up boats in numerical order.
The sign means what it says. It’s 45 steps down and back from the top to the river.
The sign means what it says. It’s 45 steps down and back from the top to the river.
Alan Pierce and Lisa Talmadge check the boat list.
Alan Pierce and Lisa Talmadge check the boat list.
On this list are anglers from six states ready to compete in the tournament.
On this list are anglers from six states ready to compete in the tournament.
The official clock is officially 9 minutes away from takeoff.
The official clock is officially 9 minutes away from takeoff.
State team members discuss last-minute strategies.
State team members discuss last-minute strategies.
The takeoff is moments away with the playing of the national anthem.
The takeoff is moments away with the playing of the national anthem.
Alan Pierce signals the official start time of 5:45 a.m. is here.
Alan Pierce signals the official start time of 5:45 a.m. is here.
This box of numbered, floating key fobs will empty in minutes.
This box of numbered, floating key fobs will empty in minutes.
The sun rises over the Monongahela River for Day 1.
The sun rises over the Monongahela River for Day 1.
Lisa Talmadge reaches for another boat fob as the box empties.
Lisa Talmadge reaches for another boat fob as the box empties.
The last boats to check out are underway.
The last boats to check out are underway.