Southern Open: Day 1 on the water

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One of the first anglers we found on the first day of fishing was Clay Dyer. Many consider him one of the most inspirational speakers and fishermen in America.
One of the first anglers we found on the first day of fishing was Clay Dyer. Many consider him one of the most inspirational speakers and fishermen in America.
Dyer makes a cast and was looking for his first keeper.
Dyer makes a cast and was looking for his first keeper.
He makes a cast…
He makes a cast…
…reaches to adjust his electronics…
…reaches to adjust his electronics…
…then fires another cast.
…then fires another cast.
This place is looking pretty popular.
This place is looking pretty popular.
Yes, popular would be an understatement. This area was being hammered by several contenders.
Yes, popular would be an understatement. This area was being hammered by several contenders.
It’s hard to resist fishing this kind of shallow, heavy cover in the spring.
It’s hard to resist fishing this kind of shallow, heavy cover in the spring.
And it’s also one of the more scenic areas on the river. Jim Dillard was in there, too.
And it’s also one of the more scenic areas on the river. Jim Dillard was in there, too.
The 70 percent chance of rain suddenly turned into a 100 percent chance of needing rain gear in the boat.
The 70 percent chance of rain suddenly turned into a 100 percent chance of needing rain gear in the boat.
Getting back in the tough stuff with a heavy rod and line.
Getting back in the tough stuff with a heavy rod and line.
Shaw Grigsby is known as one of the best sight fishermen in the world, and it looks like he may have found a fish on a bed.
Shaw Grigsby is known as one of the best sight fishermen in the world, and it looks like he may have found a fish on a bed.
Gerald Swindle was fishing near Grigsby and looks up when he hears a commotion.
Gerald Swindle was fishing near Grigsby and looks up when he hears a commotion.
It was Grigsby fighting a fish to the boat.
It was Grigsby fighting a fish to the boat.
This is looking like a keeper.
This is looking like a keeper.
Grigsby swings the fish into the boat…
Grigsby swings the fish into the boat…
…and weighs it before placing the fish in the livewell.
…and weighs it before placing the fish in the livewell.
Grigsby trolls past Swindle eating a banana. Apparently he doesn’t believe the old theory that bananas are bad luck to have in a boat.
Grigsby trolls past Swindle eating a banana. Apparently he doesn’t believe the old theory that bananas are bad luck to have in a boat.
There were tough conditions for sight fishing, but Grigsby seems to be able to see them, regardless.
There were tough conditions for sight fishing, but Grigsby seems to be able to see them, regardless.
There’s a boat race to get out of here.
There’s a boat race to get out of here.
After spending a considerable amount of time on a fish on a bed, Swindle broke off on the hook set.
After spending a considerable amount of time on a fish on a bed, Swindle broke off on the hook set.
Time to re-tie and try something different.
Time to re-tie and try something different.
The cloud bank was so low planes would just appear out of nowhere.
The cloud bank was so low planes would just appear out of nowhere.
Swindle decides to pull the plug on sight fishing and just go fishing.
Swindle decides to pull the plug on sight fishing and just go fishing.
You would think there would be a keeper lurking around these cypress trees.
You would think there would be a keeper lurking around these cypress trees.
Now it’s really raining. Grigsby and our photographer were having flashbacks to Day 3 of the Elite Series event on the Sabine River.
Now it’s really raining. Grigsby and our photographer were having flashbacks to Day 3 of the Elite Series event on the Sabine River.
Even the herons were looking for places to get out of the rain.
Even the herons were looking for places to get out of the rain.
Jon Englund was one of the few anglers we saw put a fish in the boat.
Jon Englund was one of the few anglers we saw put a fish in the boat.
It wasn’t a big fish, but it was a start on a limit.
It wasn’t a big fish, but it was a start on a limit.
Meanwhile back at the launch area, some of our competitor’s best be driving a four-wheel drive.
Meanwhile back at the launch area, some of our competitor’s best be driving a four-wheel drive.