Open: Day 1 on Douglas Lake

Opens anglers tackle Douglas Lake on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #1 presented by Allstate.

Troy Morrow fishes close to the bridge crossing Douglas Lake near downtown Dandridge, Tenn., on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #1 presented by Allstate.
Troy Morrow fishes close to the bridge crossing Douglas Lake near downtown Dandridge, Tenn., on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #1 presented by Allstate.
Many of the well-known community holes on Douglas Lake were crowded with competitors early on Day 1.
Many of the well-known community holes on Douglas Lake were crowded with competitors early on Day 1.
Tennessee native and Elite Series pro Brandon Card is considered a local favorite.
Tennessee native and Elite Series pro Brandon Card is considered a local favorite.
Card said he was marking so many fish on his electronics it was ridiculous.
Card said he was marking so many fish on his electronics it was ridiculous.
Card could see the fish on his graph, but trying to get them to bite was a source of frustration.
Card could see the fish on his graph, but trying to get them to bite was a source of frustration.
After several bait selections, Card finally coaxes a fish to bite.
After several bait selections, Card finally coaxes a fish to bite.
The fish nose-dives after a jump.
The fish nose-dives after a jump.
Card swings the small keeper into the boat.
Card swings the small keeper into the boat.
Brandon Palaniuk is one of several Elite Series pros fishing this week at Douglas.
Brandon Palaniuk is one of several Elite Series pros fishing this week at Douglas.
A few spectators followed Palaniuk on Day 1.
A few spectators followed Palaniuk on Day 1.
Palaniuk hooks up with his fourth fish of the day.
Palaniuk hooks up with his fourth fish of the day.
He leans into the fish as it attempts to jump.
He leans into the fish as it attempts to jump.
Palaniuk is determined to get this fish in the boat.
Palaniuk is determined to get this fish in the boat.
The bass begins to thrash as it nears the boat.
The bass begins to thrash as it nears the boat.
Palaniuk reaches up the rod to swing the fish.
Palaniuk reaches up the rod to swing the fish.
So far, so good.
So far, so good.
The bait flies into the air as the fish comes unhooked and swims back into Douglas Lake.
The bait flies into the air as the fish comes unhooked and swims back into Douglas Lake.
Palaniuk quickly shakes it off with a smile…
Palaniuk quickly shakes it off with a smile…
…and gets back to work.
…and gets back to work.
The Great Smoky Mountains loom to the west of Douglas Lake.
The Great Smoky Mountains loom to the west of Douglas Lake.
Palaniuk continued to change baits and fires another cast.
Palaniuk continued to change baits and fires another cast.
He kneels to drive his crankbait deeper.
He kneels to drive his crankbait deeper.
Matt Lee, Drew Benton and John Pelletier were all fishing the same point.
Matt Lee, Drew Benton and John Pelletier were all fishing the same point.
There were times when Lee and Benton could have netted one another’s fish.
There were times when Lee and Benton could have netted one another’s fish.
Matt Lee goes to the kneel and reel technique of crankbait fishing.
Matt Lee goes to the kneel and reel technique of crankbait fishing.
Drew Benton fires a cast.
Drew Benton fires a cast.
John Pelletier joins Matt Lee and does a little kneeling and reeling of his own.
John Pelletier joins Matt Lee and does a little kneeling and reeling of his own.
Pelletier decides to leave the point to Benton and Lee.
Pelletier decides to leave the point to Benton and Lee.
Drew Benton hooks up with a keeper and his co-angler readies the dip net.
Drew Benton hooks up with a keeper and his co-angler readies the dip net.
Benton pulls the fish toward the safety of the net.
Benton pulls the fish toward the safety of the net.
The fish goes into the livewell.
The fish goes into the livewell.
Brent Ehrler heaves a cast with a big crankbait.
Brent Ehrler heaves a cast with a big crankbait.
Another crowd of anglers share water on Day 1.
Another crowd of anglers share water on Day 1.
Gerald Sensabaugh inspects his crankbait after a quick tuning.
Gerald Sensabaugh inspects his crankbait after a quick tuning.
Satisfied with the tuning job, Sensabaugh gets back to fishing.
Satisfied with the tuning job, Sensabaugh gets back to fishing.
Larry Draughn and his co-angler said it had been a slow morning for them.
Larry Draughn and his co-angler said it had been a slow morning for them.
Draughn said he only had one fish in the livewell, but it was a pretty good one.
Draughn said he only had one fish in the livewell, but it was a pretty good one.
Patrick Pierce makes a move across Douglas Lake.
Patrick Pierce makes a move across Douglas Lake.
While most of the field was structure fishing deeper water, there were a few anglers fishing flooded trees in the back of creeks.
While most of the field was structure fishing deeper water, there were a few anglers fishing flooded trees in the back of creeks.