Open: Day 2 begins on Arkansas River

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The Oklahoma Gas and Electric power plant looms in the background of Three Forks Harbor, launch and weigh-in site for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open.
The Oklahoma Gas and Electric power plant looms in the background of Three Forks Harbor, launch and weigh-in site for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open.
Day 2 is a repeat of yesterday with the weather. A 50% chance of rain is in the forecast with highs in the low 80s.
Day 2 is a repeat of yesterday with the weather. A 50% chance of rain is in the forecast with highs in the low 80s.
In this first Central Open of the season are 194 boats and a big contingent from Louisiana, where the final two events will be held later this season.
In this first Central Open of the season are 194 boats and a big contingent from Louisiana, where the final two events will be held later this season.
The Arkansas River is a busy commercial waterway for barges traveling from end to end, from Arkansas to Oklahoma.
The Arkansas River is a busy commercial waterway for barges traveling from end to end, from Arkansas to Oklahoma.
This boat is headed the same direction as most of the field. That is south, toward the Kerr pool of the river. The area is popular for it’s many creeks and backwater areas.
This boat is headed the same direction as most of the field. That is south, toward the Kerr pool of the river. The area is popular for it’s many creeks and backwater areas.
Meanwhile, the Miss Alex is likely headed upriver to Tulsa. The barge terminal there is in the host city for the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Meanwhile, the Miss Alex is likely headed upriver to Tulsa. The barge terminal there is in the host city for the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
The coffee likely got spilled in this boat after it struck a following wave from the Miss Alex.
The coffee likely got spilled in this boat after it struck a following wave from the Miss Alex.
The clock shows the time and the check out process continues. The first flight is due back at 2:00 with others to follow at 15-minute intervals.
The clock shows the time and the check out process continues. The first flight is due back at 2:00 with others to follow at 15-minute intervals.
Chris Bowes has the line so caught up that he takes a rare picture of the takeoff.
Chris Bowes has the line so caught up that he takes a rare picture of the takeoff.
Gerald Spohrer idles into place in the middle of the takeoff timeframe.
Gerald Spohrer idles into place in the middle of the takeoff timeframe.
This puddle tells the story of the morning. Overnight the water came up nearly 2 feet around the river at Muskogee.
This puddle tells the story of the morning. Overnight the water came up nearly 2 feet around the river at Muskogee.
Most of the rain fell north of Muskogee in the Tulsa area. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had no other choice but to let some of the water out and downstream.
Most of the rain fell north of Muskogee in the Tulsa area. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had no other choice but to let some of the water out and downstream.
High water or low, Stephen Browning can handle it and does well on river fisheries. That’s a given since he grew up fishing the Arkansas River in his home state.
High water or low, Stephen Browning can handle it and does well on river fisheries. That’s a given since he grew up fishing the Arkansas River in his home state.
Nebo is the dog owned by Chris Zaldain and Trait Crist. He’s a stray they picked up a couple of years ago downstream at a Bassmaster Elite Series event held in Dardanelle, Ark.
Nebo is the dog owned by Chris Zaldain and Trait Crist. He’s a stray they picked up a couple of years ago downstream at a Bassmaster Elite Series event held in Dardanelle, Ark.
This Central Open season will be a favorite of river anglers. The next event, in September, is on the Red River near Shreveport, La. The final event is downstream at the Atchafayala Basin.
This Central Open season will be a favorite of river anglers. The next event, in September, is on the Red River near Shreveport, La. The final event is downstream at the Atchafayala Basin.
Jason Christie is in the hunt for a win at the Central Open. Doing so would be a relief with a win qualifying him for the 2017 Bassmaster Classic.
Jason Christie is in the hunt for a win at the Central Open. Doing so would be a relief with a win qualifying him for the 2017 Bassmaster Classic.
Christie and Tommy Biffle chat up the morning as they wait their turns. Biffle is another Bassmaster Elite Series angler who wants to win this tournament near his hometown of Wagoner.
Christie and Tommy Biffle chat up the morning as they wait their turns. Biffle is another Bassmaster Elite Series angler who wants to win this tournament near his hometown of Wagoner.
Chris Bowes works down the list as he calls out the remaining boats.
Chris Bowes works down the list as he calls out the remaining boats.
Those boats line up for the takeoff and will either go north or south on the river.
Those boats line up for the takeoff and will either go north or south on the river.
Christie is likely headed south along with many other anglers who will lock into Kerr Reservoir.
Christie is likely headed south along with many other anglers who will lock into Kerr Reservoir.
Which direction Biffle goes only he knows. He’s secretive for a reason. Biffle is always a favorite to win on this river.
Which direction Biffle goes only he knows. He’s secretive for a reason. Biffle is always a favorite to win on this river.
Some anglers already are fishing. The river around the weigh-in site has lots of rocky jetties that attract bass.
Some anglers already are fishing. The river around the weigh-in site has lots of rocky jetties that attract bass.
The final boats pass through the check out line and out into the river.
The final boats pass through the check out line and out into the river.
Ken Iyobe, another Bassmaster Elite pro, is one of the last boats to leave the dock.
Ken Iyobe, another Bassmaster Elite pro, is one of the last boats to leave the dock.