Western Divisional on the water

Some anglers had full livewells and others struggled today on Noxon Reservoir.

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Today on Noxon Reservoir was cloudless and comfortable for Day 2 of the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional. That helped some anglers and made it tougher on others.
Today on Noxon Reservoir was cloudless and comfortable for Day 2 of the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional. That helped some anglers and made it tougher on others.
Randy Campbell of New Mexico and Joe Griffin of Arizona had a slow start. At 9 a.m., they said they wish they had something, but they don’t yet. But their hopes were high. They said they would have some bass in their livewell soon.
Randy Campbell of New Mexico and Joe Griffin of Arizona had a slow start. At 9 a.m., they said they wish they had something, but they don’t yet. But their hopes were high. They said they would have some bass in their livewell soon.
The mountains surrounding Noxon still have snowpack, so the runoff will last longer this summer than usual.
The mountains surrounding Noxon still have snowpack, so the runoff will last longer this summer than usual.
Leon Stiffarm of Montana and Denton Crofts of Idaho were in the same boat, but they were having different experiences.
Leon Stiffarm of Montana and Denton Crofts of Idaho were in the same boat, but they were having different experiences.
Stiffarm is all smiles because he’s got four decent ones in the boat.
Stiffarm is all smiles because he’s got four decent ones in the boat.
Crofts is ready to move. He has not had the same fortune as his boat partner.
Crofts is ready to move. He has not had the same fortune as his boat partner.
Just 10 more minutes, says Stiffarm.
Just 10 more minutes, says Stiffarm.
If you haven’t spent much time in the West, it’s hard to stop looking at the beauty of your surroundings.
If you haven’t spent much time in the West, it’s hard to stop looking at the beauty of your surroundings.
But, back to fishing. Danny Longoria of Arizona and Kelvin Ratchford of Washington are beating a bank not too far from the launch area.
But, back to fishing. Danny Longoria of Arizona and Kelvin Ratchford of Washington are beating a bank not too far from the launch area.
Competitors in the divisional spent a lot of time running today. Multiple boats were switching spots today, all day long.
Competitors in the divisional spent a lot of time running today. Multiple boats were switching spots today, all day long.
Earl Conway and Curtis Spindler (with his arms up) are among the runners.
Earl Conway and Curtis Spindler (with his arms up) are among the runners.
Matthew Antonich of Idaho, right, said he caught one good one earlier this morning.
Matthew Antonich of Idaho, right, said he caught one good one earlier this morning.
His boat partner, Scott Sheldon of Colorado, left, says it’s time to hit the road.
His boat partner, Scott Sheldon of Colorado, left, says it’s time to hit the road.
Randell Bell said today is already better than yesterday, when he won the smallest fish award.
Randell Bell said today is already better than yesterday, when he won the smallest fish award.
The usually jovial Dejon Lewis of California doesn’t appear to be in agreement with Bell. He wishes today was better than it is.
The usually jovial Dejon Lewis of California doesn’t appear to be in agreement with Bell. He wishes today was better than it is.
But at least he’s got two.
But at least he’s got two.
Chief Torrez, left, is similarly not having as good a day as his boat partner, Mike Lavallee.
Chief Torrez, left, is similarly not having as good a day as his boat partner, Mike Lavallee.
Lavallee has four in the boat, but he should have five. “I just lost a 2 1/2-pounder, which is gold on this lake. It’s like a 6-pounder on Clear Lake.”
Lavallee has four in the boat, but he should have five. “I just lost a 2 1/2-pounder, which is gold on this lake. It’s like a 6-pounder on Clear Lake.”
He’s going after that missed fish in a laydown.
He’s going after that missed fish in a laydown.
Torrez laments that he has zero so far.
Torrez laments that he has zero so far.
Lavallee shows off one of his four.
Lavallee shows off one of his four.
A few boats are stacked up in the Dodi Flats area.
A few boats are stacked up in the Dodi Flats area.
Broc Lindauer of Utah, left, and Jeff Colwell of Colorado are among them.
Broc Lindauer of Utah, left, and Jeff Colwell of Colorado are among them.
Harrison Berstch of Idaho has a good one!
Harrison Berstch of Idaho has a good one!
No, he was just kidding.
No, he was just kidding.
Back to work he goes.
Back to work he goes.
Jim Conlin is on the Montana team, and he knows the fishery well.
Jim Conlin is on the Montana team, and he knows the fishery well.
In spitting distance is the tournament leader, Chris Felty, and his boat partner, Gary Collins.
In spitting distance is the tournament leader, Chris Felty, and his boat partner, Gary Collins.
Collins has one, and the leader is now playing net man.
Collins has one, and the leader is now playing net man.
And there it is!
And there it is!
It’s little, he says, but it will help.
It’s little, he says, but it will help.
Felty makes another cast. He’s got work to do to keep his lead.
Felty makes another cast. He’s got work to do to keep his lead.
The boats look so tiny next to the steep Noxon cliffs.
The boats look so tiny next to the steep Noxon cliffs.
Now en route to the northern end where there are more flats …
Now en route to the northern end where there are more flats …
Tyler Wilson of New Mexico and Kory Ray of Oregon are stacked up in a popular area, and Wilson just caught one.
Tyler Wilson of New Mexico and Kory Ray of Oregon are stacked up in a popular area, and Wilson just caught one.
Jason Hemminger and Joseph Gamboa were right behind them, and they’re moving on now.
Jason Hemminger and Joseph Gamboa were right behind them, and they’re moving on now.
Jake Cook and Levi McNeill fish the flats together.
Jake Cook and Levi McNeill fish the flats together.
Kevin Sherry of California has one on!
Kevin Sherry of California has one on!
Tim Myers readies the net.
Tim Myers readies the net.
In the boat!
In the boat!
Sherry is beyond excited …
Sherry is beyond excited …
… still beaming.
… still beaming.
Nearby, Dan Jordan of Oregon has one on, too.
Nearby, Dan Jordan of Oregon has one on, too.
Franco Vallejos nets it for him.
Franco Vallejos nets it for him.
Jordan shows off his catch.
Jordan shows off his catch.
Larry Triplett and Zackery Shaff are within feet of Sherry’s and Jordan’s catches. They don’t get a bite during that short frenzy.
Larry Triplett and Zackery Shaff are within feet of Sherry’s and Jordan’s catches. They don’t get a bite during that short frenzy.
Matthew Fuller and Adam Deakin of Colorado are competing in the high school division.
Matthew Fuller and Adam Deakin of Colorado are competing in the high school division.
Their boat captain, Cam Mills, said it’s hard to watch and not fish. “But still, it’s fun to watch them because they’re so good,” he said.
Their boat captain, Cam Mills, said it’s hard to watch and not fish. “But still, it’s fun to watch them because they’re so good,” he said.