Western Divisional Day 1 launch

The 128 competitors in the Western Divisional take off for Day 1 on Noxon Reservoir.

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Competitors get ready for takeoff on Day 1 of the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional on Montana’s Noxon Reservoir.
Competitors get ready for takeoff on Day 1 of the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional on Montana’s Noxon Reservoir.
The temperature hovered in the high 30s this morning.
The temperature hovered in the high 30s this morning.
Randy Gust of Montana and David Mays of Oregon talk about their strategy on the water today.
Randy Gust of Montana and David Mays of Oregon talk about their strategy on the water today.
Randy Campbell of New Mexico and Mike Coleman of California are sharing a boat for Day 1.
Randy Campbell of New Mexico and Mike Coleman of California are sharing a boat for Day 1.
Bill Golightly of Wyoming and Jeremiah Hofstetter of Colorado are the first boat out this morning.
Bill Golightly of Wyoming and Jeremiah Hofstetter of Colorado are the first boat out this morning.
Contenders begin to form a line in their boat order.
Contenders begin to form a line in their boat order.
Steve Lund of Arizona and David Bertsch of Idaho get ready to take off.
Steve Lund of Arizona and David Bertsch of Idaho get ready to take off.
Competitors will go through a light, kill switch and livewell check and then get their key fobs before they go out.
Competitors will go through a light, kill switch and livewell check and then get their key fobs before they go out.
A pink stripe of sunrise forms over the mountain.
A pink stripe of sunrise forms over the mountain.
Mike Landy, president of the California B.A.S.S. Nation, checks his contenders’ boat numbers.
Mike Landy, president of the California B.A.S.S. Nation, checks his contenders’ boat numbers.
Audrey McKenney, president of the Colorado B.A.S.S. Nation, and Landy are on hand to cheer on their respective state’s competitors.
Audrey McKenney, president of the Colorado B.A.S.S. Nation, and Landy are on hand to cheer on their respective state’s competitors.
Spectators stand on the small cliff overlooking launch.
Spectators stand on the small cliff overlooking launch.
There was speculation that there would be a fog delay, but the morning was clear.
There was speculation that there would be a fog delay, but the morning was clear.
Skylar is here to support her dad, Randell Bell of New Mexico.
Skylar is here to support her dad, Randell Bell of New Mexico.
Spectators and competitors alike stand for the playing of the national anthem.
Spectators and competitors alike stand for the playing of the national anthem.
The flag is raised for the tribute.
The flag is raised for the tribute.
The sun has risen and it’s time for the anglers to hit the water.
The sun has risen and it’s time for the anglers to hit the water.
There’s not much flat land here in Trout Creek, Mont.
There’s not much flat land here in Trout Creek, Mont.
As names are called, the boats go through livewell checks.
As names are called, the boats go through livewell checks.
Gene Batey Jr. of Washington shuts the livewell lid while Dejon Lewis of California, a self-professed ham, poses for the camera.
Gene Batey Jr. of Washington shuts the livewell lid while Dejon Lewis of California, a self-professed ham, poses for the camera.
Most boats head north on Noxon. See the rooster tails in the distance.
Most boats head north on Noxon. See the rooster tails in the distance.
The first flight ends, and the rest of the anglers line up.
The first flight ends, and the rest of the anglers line up.
Randell Bell of New Mexico and Trace Myers of Utah take off.
Randell Bell of New Mexico and Trace Myers of Utah take off.
Jason Hemminger of California and Becca Golightly of Wyoming are already having a great time.
Jason Hemminger of California and Becca Golightly of Wyoming are already having a great time.
Clint Johanson of Washington drives while Curtis Spindler, president of the Montana B.A.S.S. Nation, high-fives the supporters on the dock.
Clint Johanson of Washington drives while Curtis Spindler, president of the Montana B.A.S.S. Nation, high-fives the supporters on the dock.
Tim Johnston of Montana just competed in the Bassmaster Classic a couple of months ago. Now he and Dave Lee of Arizona are taking on Noxon Reservoir together.
Tim Johnston of Montana just competed in the Bassmaster Classic a couple of months ago. Now he and Dave Lee of Arizona are taking on Noxon Reservoir together.
Some of the last boats get ready to blast off.
Some of the last boats get ready to blast off.
Brent Shores of Idaho and the brightly-clad TJ Hiatt of Utah are in the final flight.
Brent Shores of Idaho and the brightly-clad TJ Hiatt of Utah are in the final flight.
McKenney takes photos of the Colorado competitors and wishes them luck as they pass by.
McKenney takes photos of the Colorado competitors and wishes them luck as they pass by.
Now that launch is complete, Skylar will wait patiently until today’s weigh-in at 2 p.m. MT to see her dad.
Now that launch is complete, Skylar will wait patiently until today’s weigh-in at 2 p.m. MT to see her dad.