Northern Open #1 begins

The 2015 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #1 presented by Allstate begins today.

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The first flights of boats gather on the James River at Osborne Landing. The site’s inaugural event was the 1988 Bassmaster Classic, held there again in 1989 and 1990.
The first flights of boats gather on the James River at Osborne Landing. The site’s inaugural event was the 1988 Bassmaster Classic, held there again in 1989 and 1990.
B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes lines up the boats on the James River for Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open presented by Allstate.
B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes lines up the boats on the James River for Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open presented by Allstate.
Kentucky pro Charlie Evans waits for his partner to arrive prior to Day 1 of the tournament.
Kentucky pro Charlie Evans waits for his partner to arrive prior to Day 1 of the tournament.
Fans greet their favorite pros at the launch site.
Fans greet their favorite pros at the launch site.
While wives such as Miyuki Fukae say bye for the day to their husbands.
While wives such as Miyuki Fukae say bye for the day to their husbands.
The James River is one of several tributaries open to the tournament. Others include the Rappahannock and Chickahominy rivers.
The James River is one of several tributaries open to the tournament. Others include the Rappahannock and Chickahominy rivers.
Michael Iaconelli fishes the Northern Opens partly for nostalgic reasons. He started his tournament career on tidal fisheries such as the James River.
Michael Iaconelli fishes the Northern Opens partly for nostalgic reasons. He started his tournament career on tidal fisheries such as the James River.
Most boats leave Osborne Landing and travel south because going north means encountering the rapids just a few miles away.
Most boats leave Osborne Landing and travel south because going north means encountering the rapids just a few miles away.
These shoreline pilings will be covered when the high tide comes in.
These shoreline pilings will be covered when the high tide comes in.
Shin Fukae hopes to repeat as a winner of a Northern Open, which he did last year.
Shin Fukae hopes to repeat as a winner of a Northern Open, which he did last year.
The James River event is the first of three coming up on the Northern division of the Opens.
The James River event is the first of three coming up on the Northern division of the Opens.
The latter flights get organized to come through the safety check line.
The latter flights get organized to come through the safety check line.
Long runs await some of the anglers who are running the tides down river for the best fishing.
Long runs await some of the anglers who are running the tides down river for the best fishing.
Jacob Powroznik of Virginia is a skilled river angler on the James. He’s also fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Jacob Powroznik of Virginia is a skilled river angler on the James. He’s also fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Gary Clouse, president of Phoenix Boats, is ready for a hot day of tidal bass fishing. Today’s high is forecast at 97 degrees.
Gary Clouse, president of Phoenix Boats, is ready for a hot day of tidal bass fishing. Today’s high is forecast at 97 degrees.
In the background and only a few miles away is downtown Richmond, where the river’s flow changes to whitewater rapids.
In the background and only a few miles away is downtown Richmond, where the river’s flow changes to whitewater rapids.
The final boats receive their floating boat number key fobs for the day ahead.
The final boats receive their floating boat number key fobs for the day ahead.
Few boats remain as the final flights are launched.
Few boats remain as the final flights are launched.
It’s low tide at takeoff on Day 1. The boats will fish on a falling tide most of the day.
It’s low tide at takeoff on Day 1. The boats will fish on a falling tide most of the day.
The key fobs get passed out...
The key fobs get passed out…
Adrian Avena makes his first stop of the day directly across from the launch ramp.
Adrian Avena makes his first stop of the day directly across from the launch ramp.