Nation: Day 2 on the water

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The Ouachita River is home to some of the most beautiful cypress trees, and this week, the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship contenders find their biggest challenge is maneuvering among them.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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2014 Classic qualifier Tim Johnston, representing the Montana B.A.S.S. Nation, was spotted fishing some laydowns near where he fished Thursday.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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As of now, Johnston isn't quite getting the bites he wants.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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"I've got three in the boat right now," Johnston reported.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Another competitor makes a run past Johnston's fishing spot.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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"It's been really tough today," Johnston said. "Yesterday there was wind, and today, there isn't much."

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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"I'm hoping I'll have some more to show when you see me at the weigh-in," Johnston said.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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California angler Ron Welch was spotted casting between some giant cypress trees.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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"I thought I would come back up here to make a limit," Welch said smiling. "But, that didn't work."

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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As of 10:30 this morning, Welch doesn't have much to show for his hard work.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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"I'm about to make a run," Welch said. "A long one."

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Cypress trees and stumps line the banks of the Ouachita River.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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There's a small entrance to the mouth of Wall Lake, and that's where we find Waine Pittman of Georgia.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Pittman is making his way out of the cypress maze.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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"It's as dead as a hammer," Pittman said.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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The path to Wall Lake is filled with stumps and cypress so close together that it takes a skilled driver to maneuver the landscape.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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The scenery though is beautiful.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Japanese angler Koji Kuroda was spotted casting to a rocky bank.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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He waves, and when asked about his fish, he says "One!"

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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"I want five," Kuroda said, after a few more casts.

Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

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Photo: Helen Northcutt

Nation: Day 2 on the water

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