Nation: Day 2 on the water

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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Nation: Day 2 on the water

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