Nation: Day 1 launch

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Alan Pierce of the B.A.S.S. staff checks an early arrival at the boat dock for Day 1 on Lake Mead.
Alan Pierce of the B.A.S.S. staff checks an early arrival at the boat dock for Day 1 on Lake Mead.
Boat No. 1 is moored in position. Behind are 105 other boats ready for takeoff. It’s Day 1 of the Academy Sports and Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional presented by Magellan.
Boat No. 1 is moored in position. Behind are 105 other boats ready for takeoff. It’s Day 1 of the Academy Sports and Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional presented by Magellan.
The courtesy dock is so long that nearly the entire first flight can line up in order of takeoff.
The courtesy dock is so long that nearly the entire first flight can line up in order of takeoff.
Tools of the trade are ready for use by B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart.
Tools of the trade are ready for use by B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart.
More tools of the trade are applied to the skin. Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies with highs in the upper 80s. That makes sunscreen a good idea.
More tools of the trade are applied to the skin. Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies with highs in the upper 80s. That makes sunscreen a good idea.
Gumby Kounthong of Utah is ready for GoPro action as he takes a picture of the B.A.S.S. photographer.
Gumby Kounthong of Utah is ready for GoPro action as he takes a picture of the B.A.S.S. photographer.
The sun begins to rise over Lake Mead and Callville Bay for the start of the tournament.
The sun begins to rise over Lake Mead and Callville Bay for the start of the tournament.
At right and in the background is the original launch ramp for Callville Bay Marina. It’s long out of commission as the lake level dropped, forcing the National Park Service to make a longer ramp, at left.
At right and in the background is the original launch ramp for Callville Bay Marina. It’s long out of commission as the lake level dropped, forcing the National Park Service to make a longer ramp, at left.
Many anglers make videos and take pictures of the scene at Callville Bay. There are lots of memories in the making.
Many anglers make videos and take pictures of the scene at Callville Bay. There are lots of memories in the making.
The anglers from 11 states have lots of water to fish on Lake Mead. Many of them will make long runs in search of spawning bass.
The anglers from 11 states have lots of water to fish on Lake Mead. Many of them will make long runs in search of spawning bass.
The day begins, as always, with the playing of the national anthem. Official takeoff time is 6:15 a.m.
The day begins, as always, with the playing of the national anthem. Official takeoff time is 6:15 a.m.
Check-in time is at 2:30 p.m. with the last boats due back at 3:30 p.m.
Check-in time is at 2:30 p.m. with the last boats due back at 3:30 p.m.
The national anthem has rolled off the Day 1 playlist. The tournament begins with the playing of Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train.
The national anthem has rolled off the Day 1 playlist. The tournament begins with the playing of Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train.
The day is underway as the boats are checked off the list. Lake Mead is just around the corner to the left.
The day is underway as the boats are checked off the list. Lake Mead is just around the corner to the left.
Livewells are checked to confirm operation. The tournament limit is 5 bass for boaters and 3 fish for co-anglers. The minimum length is 13 inches.
Livewells are checked to confirm operation. The tournament limit is 5 bass for boaters and 3 fish for co-anglers. The minimum length is 13 inches.
Stan Fisher of Montana wears a throwback personal flotation device bearing the logo or the 2000 BASS Masters Classic, as it was called back in the day. Fisher was a qualifier from the B.A.S.S. Nation.
Stan Fisher of Montana wears a throwback personal flotation device bearing the logo or the 2000 BASS Masters Classic, as it was called back in the day. Fisher was a qualifier from the B.A.S.S. Nation.
The box of floating key fobs begins to empty as the flights advance through the takeoff.
The box of floating key fobs begins to empty as the flights advance through the takeoff.
Jon Stewart calls out the boats as the takeoff continues. It took only about 15 minutes to send off all 106 boats.
Jon Stewart calls out the boats as the takeoff continues. It took only about 15 minutes to send off all 106 boats.
Irony surrounds this houseboat moored at the takeoff site. The final boats to be lined up idle past.
Irony surrounds this houseboat moored at the takeoff site. The final boats to be lined up idle past.
Hank Weldon lines those boats up. In the background is the final safety check point.
Hank Weldon lines those boats up. In the background is the final safety check point.
Weldon gets the boats in order so that Jon Stewart can confirm the order down the line.
Weldon gets the boats in order so that Jon Stewart can confirm the order down the line.
In the background is the new, sort of, boat ramp used by boaters at Callville Bay Marina. The lake is more than 100 feet lower than when the original ramp was in use.
In the background is the new, sort of, boat ramp used by boaters at Callville Bay Marina. The lake is more than 100 feet lower than when the original ramp was in use.
Lake Mead is a popular destination for bass tournaments. In fact, B.A.S.S. held pro level tournaments here in the late 1980s.
Lake Mead is a popular destination for bass tournaments. In fact, B.A.S.S. held pro level tournaments here in the late 1980s.
The multi-colored shoreline is an indicator of just how far down the lake has dropped over the years.
The multi-colored shoreline is an indicator of just how far down the lake has dropped over the years.
The sign warns against the dangers of going barefoot on the metal dock. Summertime temperatures here reach over 100 degrees.
The sign warns against the dangers of going barefoot on the metal dock. Summertime temperatures here reach over 100 degrees.