Tennessee Governor’s wife Maria Lee fishes with Brandon Coulter

While Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee was officially opening the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo  his wife  Maria  enjoyed a quick fishing outing and tour of the river
While Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee was officially opening the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo his wife Maria enjoyed a quick fishing outing and tour of the river

Heavy current moves the group quickly from Neyland Stadium to Thompson-Boling Arena  site of the Bassmaster Classic daily weigh-ins
Heavy current moves the group quickly from Neyland Stadium to Thompson-Boling Arena site of the Bassmaster Classic daily weigh-ins

The University of Tennessee campus skyline is a compelling sight along the Tennessee River shoreline
The University of Tennessee campus skyline is a compelling sight along the Tennessee River shoreline

Coulter guided the group into a small inlet off the main river where the current was a little slower
Coulter guided the group into a small inlet off the main river where the current was a little slower

First Lady Maria Lee shows off her casting form. An avid angler  she grew up fishing Chesapeake Bay, Md
First Lady Maria Lee shows off her casting form. An avid angler she grew up fishing Chesapeake Bay, Md

First Lady Maria Lee’s security officer  Quentin Bell  gets fishing lessons from boat driver Tommy Brown
First Lady Maria Lee’s security officer Quentin Bell gets fishing lessons from boat driver Tommy Brown

While Gov. Bill Lee was officially opening the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo  his wife  Maria  enjoyed a quick fishing outing and tour of the river
While Gov. Bill Lee was officially opening the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo his wife Maria enjoyed a quick fishing outing and tour of the river

Maria Lee jokes that she finally caught something --  a  stick fish.
Maria Lee jokes that she finally caught something — a stick fish.

Maria Lee fields questions from Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Ryan Wilusz
Maria Lee fields questions from Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Ryan Wilusz

His official duties at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo completed  Gov. Bill Lee waits on a deck at Calhoun’s  for his wife to return from fishing
His official duties at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo completed Gov. Bill Lee waits on a deck at Calhoun’s for his wife to return from fishing

Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee (center) discusses bass fishing with B.A.S.S.’s Dave Precht before her quick tour of the Tennessee River
Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee (center) discusses bass fishing with B.A.S.S.’s Dave Precht before her quick tour of the Tennessee River

Maria Lee discusses fishing with her  guide   Knoxville pro angler Brandon Coulter
Maria Lee discusses fishing with her guide Knoxville pro angler Brandon Coulter

Taking a Tennessee River cruise were  from left  boat driver Mike Miles  pro angler Brandon Coulter  TWRA Commissioner Angie Box  and First Lady Maria Lee
Taking a Tennessee River cruise were from left boat driver Mike Miles pro angler Brandon Coulter TWRA Commissioner Angie Box and First Lady Maria Lee

Red squarebill crankbaits were the order of the day for the anglers. The bass didn’t seem to fall for them  though
Red squarebill crankbaits were the order of the day for the anglers. The bass didn’t seem to fall for them though

Maria Lee fires a cast along the shoreline in downtown Knoxville
Maria Lee fires a cast along the shoreline in downtown Knoxville

Coulter points out an eddy behind bridge pilings where bass should be hiding
Coulter points out an eddy behind bridge pilings where bass should be hiding

Maria Lee and Brndon Coulter enjoy an unseasonably warm day on the Tennessee
Maria Lee and Brndon Coulter enjoy an unseasonably warm day on the Tennessee

Maria Lee tries a rocky shoreline in downtown Knoxville -- far removed from where Classic contenders are fishing
Maria Lee tries a rocky shoreline in downtown Knoxville — far removed from where Classic contenders are fishing

TWRA Commissioner Angie Box snags a rock with her square bill crankbait
TWRA Commissioner Angie Box snags a rock with her square bill crankbait

Maria Lee hurls her crankbait out into current from a quiet inlet
Maria Lee hurls her crankbait out into current from a quiet inlet

Brandon Coulter coaches First Lady Maria Lee during their brief fishing outing on the Tennessee River
Brandon Coulter coaches First Lady Maria Lee during their brief fishing outing on the Tennessee River