Pirch wraps up St. Lawrence practice

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Cliff Pirch, affectionately known around the Elite Series as the
Cliff Pirch, affectionately known around the Elite Series as the “Golden Ram” because of his blond locks, marks a hot spot on the St. Lawrence River in practice fishing Wednesday.
Pirch retrieves a quiver of spinning rods for the day's hunt for bass on the St. Lawrence.
Pirch retrieves a quiver of spinning rods for the day’s hunt for bass on the St. Lawrence.
A rainbow marks a pot of bronze for Pirch, who said he wished he could get a bend in his rod to match the arch of the rainbow.
A rainbow marks a pot of bronze for Pirch, who said he wished he could get a bend in his rod to match the arch of the rainbow.
Pirch's first fish of the day wasn't much bigger than the gobies that fill the smallmouth's diet.
Pirch’s first fish of the day wasn’t much bigger than the gobies that fill the smallmouth’s diet.
Pirch battles a bass hooked on a drop shot during one of his drifts over rocky structure.
Pirch battles a bass hooked on a drop shot during one of his drifts over rocky structure.
He was convinced he would be able to catch a
He was convinced he would be able to catch a “picture fish” weighing 5 pounds or more during our day on the water . . .
. . . but this wasn't quite in that category.
. . . but this wasn’t quite in that category.
Side-imaging clearly shows a flooded roadbed that was covered by 20 feet of water during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway almost 70 years ago.
Side-imaging clearly shows a flooded roadbed that was covered by 20 feet of water during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway almost 70 years ago.
High winds, heavy skies and fast current combined to make fishing tough for Cliff Pirch on the final day of practice.
High winds, heavy skies and fast current combined to make fishing tough for Cliff Pirch on the final day of practice.
“I need a haircut,” Pirch admitted, “but it seems that every time I get a haircut right before a tournament, I finish out of the money.”
Barges and container ships are constant companions during a day on the St. Lawrence.
Barges and container ships are constant companions during a day on the St. Lawrence.
Pirch lost a few big bass during our day, including one that took his RoboWorm and another that simultaneously removed his drop shot weight.
Pirch lost a few big bass during our day, including one that took his RoboWorm and another that simultaneously removed his drop shot weight.
Fat smallmouth like this one are fun to catch, but they won't figure in to winning catches in the Bassmaster Elite at Waddington, N.Y., this week.
Fat smallmouth like this one are fun to catch, but they won’t figure in to winning catches in the Bassmaster Elite at Waddington, N.Y., this week.
Brave souls are guiding this tiny houseboat, which doesn't have much freeboard to keep it from joining other St. Lawrence River wrecks.
Brave souls are guiding this tiny houseboat, which doesn’t have much freeboard to keep it from joining other St. Lawrence River wrecks.
Pirch is well prepared for a finesse-fishing fest this week in New York.
Pirch is well prepared for a finesse-fishing fest this week in New York.
Bites were numerous during Wednesday's practice round, but they weren't very big.
Bites were numerous during Wednesday’s practice round, but they weren’t very big.
A 3-pounder was the top fish of the day for Pirch, who caught 5-plus-pounders on the other practice days, when he didn't have me bringing bad luck.
A 3-pounder was the top fish of the day for Pirch, who caught 5-plus-pounders on the other practice days, when he didn’t have me bringing bad luck.
The Elite Series weigh-in site at Waddington is set up and awaiting thousands of fans for the start of competition.
The Elite Series weigh-in site at Waddington is set up and awaiting thousands of fans for the start of competition.
Cliff Pirch's favorite pick-me-up is a Clif Bar, naturally. Asked if it was his signature series energy bar, he said,
Cliff Pirch’s favorite pick-me-up is a Clif Bar, naturally. Asked if it was his signature series energy bar, he said, “I wish!”