Photo gallery: Time warp on Harris Chain

Time flies when you're having fun! Opens co-angler Mark Hicks recounts his practice and competition days on Harris Chain.

<p>
	This is Jeff Stoner’s boat on the Sunday before the Harris tournament, after he brushed the frost from the carpet.</p>
This is Jeff Stoner’s boat on the Sunday before the Harris tournament, after he brushed the frost from the carpet.
<p>
	These are the guys I shared a house with at Harris. They are (from left) Jarrod Nelson, Jeff Stoner and Lee King. Notice that Stoner wouldn’t stop shoveling food in.</p>
These are the guys I shared a house with at Harris. They are (from left) Jarrod Nelson, Jeff Stoner and Lee King. Notice that Stoner wouldn’t stop shoveling food in.
<p>
	I fished with Oklahoma’s Bobby Myers on the Tuesday before the Harris tournament. Myers is fishing all nine Bassmaster Opens in his quest to qualify for the Elite Series.</p>
I fished with Oklahoma’s Bobby Myers on the Tuesday before the Harris tournament. Myers is fishing all nine Bassmaster Opens in his quest to qualify for the Elite Series.
<p>
	Myers used aerial photos on the Internet in conjunction with his mapping GPS to find overlooked canals.</p>
Myers used aerial photos on the Internet in conjunction with his mapping GPS to find overlooked canals.
<p>
	This canal was too choked with aquatic growth to see bass beds.</p>
This canal was too choked with aquatic growth to see bass beds.
<p>
	Bobby Myers fishes in a canal while looking for beds.</p>
Bobby Myers fishes in a canal while looking for beds.
<p>
	Bobby Myers caught this 10-pound bass in practice before the cold front hit.</p>
Bobby Myers caught this 10-pound bass in practice before the cold front hit.
<p>
	Bobby Myers caught this bass on a Texas rigged worm in a canal on the practice day I fished with him.</p>
Bobby Myers caught this bass on a Texas rigged worm in a canal on the practice day I fished with him.
<p>
	This is the rented house I stayed at during the Harris tournament. Nice digs.</p>
This is the rented house I stayed at during the Harris tournament. Nice digs.
<p>
	Jarrod Nelson and Jeff Stone prepare tackle and share fish stories the day before the Harris tournament.</p>
Jarrod Nelson and Jeff Stone prepare tackle and share fish stories the day before the Harris tournament.
<p>
	This is the line for the official pre-tournament meeting. You always see famous fishermen here. Can you find Aaron Martens in this picture?</p>
This is the line for the official pre-tournament meeting. You always see famous fishermen here. Can you find Aaron Martens in this picture?
<p>
	Our house crew dined at Olive Garden the night before the Harris tournament was to begin. Notice that I didn’t stop eating for the photos. I have much in common with Stoner.</p>
Our house crew dined at Olive Garden the night before the Harris tournament was to begin. Notice that I didn’t stop eating for the photos. I have much in common with Stoner.
<p>
	This is Elite Series pro Casey Ashley, my first day partner, just prior to take-off.</p>
This is Elite Series pro Casey Ashley, my first day partner, just prior to take-off.
<p>
	Our number is called and we get in line for boat inspection.</p>
Our number is called and we get in line for boat inspection.
<p>
	First we pass tournament director Chris Bowes, who is calling out boat numbers.</p>
First we pass tournament director Chris Bowes, who is calling out boat numbers.
<p>
	Next is the livewell check.</p>
Next is the livewell check.
<p>
	A floating key fob is tossed to us with our boat number on it. A final kill-switch check, and we’re free for the day.</p>
A floating key fob is tossed to us with our boat number on it. A final kill-switch check, and we’re free for the day.
<p>
	This bridge leads to the Dora Canal that took us to Lake Eustis.</p>
This bridge leads to the Dora Canal that took us to Lake Eustis.
<p>
	Hains Creek, which leads from Lake Eustis to Lake Griffin, has several idle zones.</p>
Hains Creek, which leads from Lake Eustis to Lake Griffin, has several idle zones.
<p>
	Ashley heads into the lock on Hains Creek.</p>
Ashley heads into the lock on Hains Creek.
<p>
	Exiting the Hains Creek lock.</p>
Exiting the Hains Creek lock.
<p>
	With 197 boats competing at the Harris Chain, the line for bags was long at the weigh-in.</p>
With 197 boats competing at the Harris Chain, the line for bags was long at the weigh-in.
<p>
	Casey Ashley’s biggest bass on Day One, which he caught with only 15 minutes of fishing time left.</p>
Casey Ashley’s biggest bass on Day One, which he caught with only 15 minutes of fishing time left.
<p>
	Casey Ashley proceeds through the weigh-in line on Day One.</p>
Casey Ashley proceeds through the weigh-in line on Day One.
<p>
	Justin Hamner, my second day partner, had his heart set on catching bedding bass. It wasn’t meant to be.</p>
Justin Hamner, my second day partner, had his heart set on catching bedding bass. It wasn’t meant to be.
<p>
	Justin Hamner looks for bedding bass in a canal on Lake Harris.</p>
Justin Hamner looks for bedding bass in a canal on Lake Harris.
<p>
	Jeff Stoner was the top dog at our rented house. He finished in 70th place on the pro side.</p>
Jeff Stoner was the top dog at our rented house. He finished in 70th place on the pro side.