Search for a Classic berth begins on Red River

Day 1 on the Red River started with clear skies and cooler temperatures.

Photo: James Overstreet

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Randy Allen and his partner both started the day with a flipping stick in their hands.

Photo: James Overstreet

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They were picking apart hyacinths that had blown up against a shoreline...

Photo: James Overstreet

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...along with any shoreline cover they moved past.

Photo: James Overstreet

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The abundant back water off the Red River is full of different aquatic vegetation along with stumps and standing timber.

Photo: James Overstreet

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And is also a haven for shorebirds and wildlife.

Photo: James Overstreet

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Jay Brainard took a perch on the back of his seat to help see stumps in front of his boat.

Photo: James Overstreet

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A considerable percentage of the angler's in the field is from the State of Louisiana. Not only is this Central Open being contested in their home state, but the last tournament of the year will be held south of here on the Atchafalaya Basin in Morgan City, LA.

Photo: James Overstreet

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Among the contigent of Louisiana angler's is Elite Series pro Cliff Crotchet, we spent about an hour with Crotchet this morning. Here he fights his first fish to the boat.

Photo: James Overstreet

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With 177 boats in the field it was difficult to find an area that wasn't being shared by several contenders.

Photo: James Overstreet

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However it wasn't difficult to find contenders fighting the thousands of stumps off the main river channel.

Photo: James Overstreet

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After going quite some time Crotchet hooks up with another keeper.

Photo: James Overstreet

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Crotchet was also sharing water with another Elite Series pro, Jay Brainard.

Photo: James Overstreet

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Along with Kevin Hawkes and...

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...and several other boats.

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The only boat dock in the area drew several boats.

Photo: James Overstreet

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Randy Allen makes his way up a long seawall...

Photo: James Overstreet

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...and picked up a couple interested onlookers.

Photo: James Overstreet

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Another option is to stay on the main river channel and out of the vegetation and stumps...

Photo: James Overstreet

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...where this mile after mile of riprap.

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Both options are illustrated in this photo.

Photo: James Overstreet

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When we saw Homer Humphrey Jr. he had opted to fish the main river channel.

Photo: James Overstreet

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Search for a Classic berth begins on Red River

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