Nation: Day 1 launch on Connecticut River

Eastern Divisional competitors took off out of Riverside Park in Hartford for Day 1.

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A food truck was on hand in Riverside Park in Hartford for Day 1 of the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.
A food truck was on hand in Riverside Park in Hartford for Day 1 of the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.
A sausage-and-egg sandwich and Mountain Dew -- the breakfast of champions!
A sausage-and-egg sandwich and Mountain Dew — the breakfast of champions!
Competitors filed in to the launch ramp ...
Competitors filed in to the launch ramp …
... and put their boats in to the Connecticut River.
… and put their boats in to the Connecticut River.
The backdrop was the beautiful city of Hartford.
The backdrop was the beautiful city of Hartford.
Boaters pulled up to the dock to pick up their partners.
Boaters pulled up to the dock to pick up their partners.
Competitors had two docks they could pull up to.
Competitors had two docks they could pull up to.
The community boathouse stood in the background.
The community boathouse stood in the background.
The air temperature hovered around the 58-degree mark this morning.
The air temperature hovered around the 58-degree mark this morning.
By weigh-in, expect it to be mid-80s.
By weigh-in, expect it to be mid-80s.
The ramp bustled with activity at 5:30 a.m.
The ramp bustled with activity at 5:30 a.m.
Massachusetts B.A.S.S. Nation officers Chip Servant and Jerry Ramasci cheered on their team.
Massachusetts B.A.S.S. Nation officers Chip Servant and Jerry Ramasci cheered on their team.
Jon Stewart emceed the launch ...
Jon Stewart emceed the launch …
... while Emily Hand and Pat Wilson looked over the music choices for the speaker system.
… while Emily Hand and Pat Wilson looked over the music choices for the speaker system.
Competitors lined up at the docks for the first flight.
Competitors lined up at the docks for the first flight.
Carlos Montoya Martinez of the Spain team talks with New York B.A.S.S. Nation angler and translator Frank Giner.
Carlos Montoya Martinez of the Spain team talks with New York B.A.S.S. Nation angler and translator Frank Giner.
Fred Blom, president of the New York B.A.S.S. Nation, wishes his team member Chris Killoren well.
Fred Blom, president of the New York B.A.S.S. Nation, wishes his team member Chris Killoren well.
David Dziob of Connecticut looks hopeful about his day.
David Dziob of Connecticut looks hopeful about his day.
Before the takeoff starts, the first few anglers get their livewell inspected.
Before the takeoff starts, the first few anglers get their livewell inspected.
Russell Phillips of Vermont and Doug Lees on Ontario will be sharing a boat today.
Russell Phillips of Vermont and Doug Lees on Ontario will be sharing a boat today.
Lees confirmed that Canadians do indeed end every sentence with
Lees confirmed that Canadians do indeed end every sentence with “eh.”
The boats were set to go through line facing away from the city.
The boats were set to go through line facing away from the city.
Dock chatter continued ...
Dock chatter continued …
... while competitors layered up for the cool ride.
… while competitors layered up for the cool ride.
John Shpack of Massachusetts is the first boat in line, and he's getting his tackle ready.
John Shpack of Massachusetts is the first boat in line, and he’s getting his tackle ready.
The bridge in the distance is one of many on the river that cuts through Connecticut.
The bridge in the distance is one of many on the river that cuts through Connecticut.
The national anthem for three countries -- Spain, Canada and America -- plays before takeoff.
The national anthem for three countries — Spain, Canada and America — plays before takeoff.
As it gets started, friends and family pull out their cameras to capture the moment.
As it gets started, friends and family pull out their cameras to capture the moment.
David Dziob and Christopher Killoren are the fifth boat out.
David Dziob and Christopher Killoren are the fifth boat out.
Stewart announces the competitors one by one as each boat files through.
Stewart announces the competitors one by one as each boat files through.
Anglers come through in order of their boat number.
Anglers come through in order of their boat number.
The city of Hartford comes to life behind them.
The city of Hartford comes to life behind them.
Jim Jeffries of Vermont totes his crutches with him. He was in a boat when he got his injury and is hoping for an incident-free day today.
Jim Jeffries of Vermont totes his crutches with him. He was in a boat when he got his injury and is hoping for an incident-free day today.
The competitors head north to get their livewells inspected and check in, but most of them U-turn and head south after that. Only 10 percent of the boats kept going north.
The competitors head north to get their livewells inspected and check in, but most of them U-turn and head south after that. Only 10 percent of the boats kept going north.
John Lamour of Ontario and Carlos Perez Zamorano of Spain give a thumbs-up.
John Lamour of Ontario and Carlos Perez Zamorano of Spain give a thumbs-up.
Emily Hand and Jon Stewart work on the music and the microphone as flight #2 heads out.
Emily Hand and Jon Stewart work on the music and the microphone as flight #2 heads out.
Here's a slightly elevated view of the launch ...
Here’s a slightly elevated view of the launch …
... from the top of the boathouse.
… from the top of the boathouse.
Most anglers are expecting 8 to 9 pounds a day to be the pace for the leaders.
Most anglers are expecting 8 to 9 pounds a day to be the pace for the leaders.
Blom wears the specially designed jacket for the New York team, a tribute to Lady Liberty.
Blom wears the specially designed jacket for the New York team, a tribute to Lady Liberty.
Reed Johnson of Connecticut and Jeff Kenney of Massachusetts are the end of the second flight.
Reed Johnson of Connecticut and Jeff Kenney of Massachusetts are the end of the second flight.
The sun begins to light up the sky as the third flight begins.
The sun begins to light up the sky as the third flight begins.
Alan Krause of Massachusetts drives while Bill Rider of Maine takes a video of the experience.
Alan Krause of Massachusetts drives while Bill Rider of Maine takes a video of the experience.
Paul LeBlanc of Massachusetts and Steven Pickard of New York will represent their respective states from boat #40.
Paul LeBlanc of Massachusetts and Steven Pickard of New York will represent their respective states from boat #40.
That hat is totally going to fall off. But RC Cooper of New Hampshire doesn't seem worried about it.
That hat is totally going to fall off. But RC Cooper of New Hampshire doesn’t seem worried about it.
More U-turns at the check-in dock.
More U-turns at the check-in dock.
Frank Ramsay of Ontario and Chuck Sturtevant of Vermont head out ...
Frank Ramsay of Ontario and Chuck Sturtevant of Vermont head out …
... followed by Alex Wetherell of Connecticut and Bob Thornington of Ontario.
… followed by Alex Wetherell of Connecticut and Bob Thornington of Ontario.
Michael Abernathy of Rhode Island and Cesar Ventura Pecellin Munoz of Spain give a wave and a thumbs-up.
Michael Abernathy of Rhode Island and Cesar Ventura Pecellin Munoz of Spain give a wave and a thumbs-up.
Ryan Friscia of New York and Eric Corbella Salvia of Spain head out for their day on the Connecticut River.
Ryan Friscia of New York and Eric Corbella Salvia of Spain head out for their day on the Connecticut River.
The final boat comes through ...
The final boat comes through …
... and completes the takeoff.
… and completes the takeoff.
And like most of the teams before them, they head toward Hartford.
And like most of the teams before them, they head toward Hartford.
The presidents and alternates hang out at the dock once launch is complete. They'll be back at weigh-in time to cheer for their guys.
The presidents and alternates hang out at the dock once launch is complete. They’ll be back at weigh-in time to cheer for their guys.