Anglers convene for Western Divisional

Competitors from 11 states gather in Trout Creek, Mont., for the Western Divisional registration and briefing.

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Picturesque Noxon Reservoir is hosting the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional this week in Montana. To give you a sense of the vastness of these mountains, look at how small the bass boat running down the lake appears.
Picturesque Noxon Reservoir is hosting the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional this week in Montana. To give you a sense of the vastness of these mountains, look at how small the bass boat running down the lake appears.
“Serene” is how many people here have described not only the lake but also the surrounding area. There are no big buildings, no traffic jams and very few red lights. There are plenty of mountains, frolicking deer and places to sit.
“Serene” is how many people here have described not only the lake but also the surrounding area. There are no big buildings, no traffic jams and very few red lights. There are plenty of mountains, frolicking deer and places to sit.
The stage is set for the Western Divisional, right between the registration area and the launch point in Trout Creek, Mont.
The stage is set for the Western Divisional, right between the registration area and the launch point in Trout Creek, Mont.
Down this hill, which is much steeper than it looks, is where the contenders will take off each morning.
Down this hill, which is much steeper than it looks, is where the contenders will take off each morning.
And what a view the anglers will have all day on this beautiful lake.
And what a view the anglers will have all day on this beautiful lake.
This piggy didn’t have such a great day, but he did manage to feed all 11 teams in the Western Divisional at registration.
This piggy didn’t have such a great day, but he did manage to feed all 11 teams in the Western Divisional at registration.
Competitors browse the sponsor tables for hats, shirts and other swag.
Competitors browse the sponsor tables for hats, shirts and other swag.
Blake Pirtle, left, of Dynamic Sponsorships had a great time handing out gifts from the sponsor table to contenders. He struck up conversations with many of them, including Andy Bravence, right, of the Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation team. Bravence competed in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.
Blake Pirtle, left, of Dynamic Sponsorships had a great time handing out gifts from the sponsor table to contenders. He struck up conversations with many of them, including Andy Bravence, right, of the Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation team. Bravence competed in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.
Brent Shores and Tanner Payne of the Idaho B.A.S.S. Nation pose while they’re in line to collect their gifts.
Brent Shores and Tanner Payne of the Idaho B.A.S.S. Nation pose while they’re in line to collect their gifts.
Wherever there are fishermen, there’s dock talk.
Wherever there are fishermen, there’s dock talk.
Chris Felty of the Idaho B.A.S.S. Nation displays one of his new Carhartt shirts.
Chris Felty of the Idaho B.A.S.S. Nation displays one of his new Carhartt shirts.
The Idaho B.A.S.S. Nation holds a team meeting after completing registration.
The Idaho B.A.S.S. Nation holds a team meeting after completing registration.
B.A.S.S. Nation members from different states enjoy seeing each other each year at the divisionals. Here, from left, are Curtis Welch of Colorado, Curtis Spindler of Montana and Mike Landy of California.
B.A.S.S. Nation members from different states enjoy seeing each other each year at the divisionals. Here, from left, are Curtis Welch of Colorado, Curtis Spindler of Montana and Mike Landy of California.
Sam Martin of Montana enjoys a little peaceful time away from the crowd while he studies the rules.
Sam Martin of Montana enjoys a little peaceful time away from the crowd while he studies the rules.
At the bottom right of Chief Torrez’s jersey is a memorial for Josh Sherry. Sherry’s father, Kevin, is competing on the California B.A.S.S. Nation team, and the state jersey pays tribute to the 23-year-old who died in a car accident last fall.
At the bottom right of Chief Torrez’s jersey is a memorial for Josh Sherry. Sherry’s father, Kevin, is competing on the California B.A.S.S. Nation team, and the state jersey pays tribute to the 23-year-old who died in a car accident last fall.
Competitors settle in for the tournament briefing.
Competitors settle in for the tournament briefing.
Contenders from all states listen carefully to the rules.
Contenders from all states listen carefully to the rules.
Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation, welcomes all the contenders to Montana for the 2014 Western Divisional.
Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation, welcomes all the contenders to Montana for the 2014 Western Divisional.
Becca Golightly, president of the Wyoming B.A.S.S. Nation team, introduces anglers from her state.
Becca Golightly, president of the Wyoming B.A.S.S. Nation team, introduces anglers from her state.
Tim Johnston of Montana is competing again this year after qualifying via this route last year for the Bassmaster Classic.
Tim Johnston of Montana is competing again this year after qualifying via this route last year for the Bassmaster Classic.
With the business behind them, anglers enjoy a barbecue dinner.
With the business behind them, anglers enjoy a barbecue dinner.
This is the ‘after’ of the pig on the spit. Clint Johanson of Washington shows off his perfectly portioned plate.
This is the ‘after’ of the pig on the spit. Clint Johanson of Washington shows off his perfectly portioned plate.
Some get away to the quieter picnic table. It’s a needed respite before competition begins here on Noxon Reservoir the next day.
Some get away to the quieter picnic table. It’s a needed respite before competition begins here on Noxon Reservoir the next day.