Elites tackle Arkansas’ Lake Dardanelle on Day 1

Steve Bowman tails the Elite Series pros as they take on Lake Dardanelle on Day 1 of competition.

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Fog shrouds the Spadra park sign during the morning hours of Day 1 at Lake Dardanelle.
Fog shrouds the Spadra park sign during the morning hours of Day 1 at Lake Dardanelle.
The fog was thick enough to force some anglers to suspend their movements.
The fog was thick enough to force some anglers to suspend their movements.
Yusuke Miyazaki was one of those but he eventually made it upriver.
Yusuke Miyazaki was one of those but he eventually made it upriver.
Alton Jones was nearby.
Alton Jones was nearby.
But he didn’t stick around long.
But he didn’t stick around long.
By the time the fog had burned off, J Todd Tucker already had three keepers in the boat.
By the time the fog had burned off, J Todd Tucker already had three keepers in the boat.
He shared water with several anglers, including Joel Baker, a rookie on the Elite Series.
He shared water with several anglers, including Joel Baker, a rookie on the Elite Series.
Tucker hooks up…
Tucker hooks up…
…and fights a fish…
…and fights a fish…
…but he quickly realizes it won’t make the 15-inch minimum.
…but he quickly realizes it won’t make the 15-inch minimum.
Nearby, a vulture picks on dead fish, watching the action in case Tucker throws him a bone.
Nearby, a vulture picks on dead fish, watching the action in case Tucker throws him a bone.
A bluff bank wall and early morning sun paint an interesting picture.
A bluff bank wall and early morning sun paint an interesting picture.
Greg Vinson fishes a point off the Arkansas River.
Greg Vinson fishes a point off the Arkansas River.
Charlie Hartley rushes by Nate Wellman.
Charlie Hartley rushes by Nate Wellman.
Vinson casts to lily pads in a small cut.
Vinson casts to lily pads in a small cut.
Glenn Browne runs by.
Glenn Browne runs by.
Dennis Tietje fishes a flooded tree.
Dennis Tietje fishes a flooded tree.
The tree provides an almost perfect green curtain.
The tree provides an almost perfect green curtain.
James Niggemeyer pitches to the edge of reeds.
James Niggemeyer pitches to the edge of reeds.
He’s soon rewarded with his third keeper.
He’s soon rewarded with his third keeper.
Not long after, he catches his fourth and provides a quick pose for his Marshal.
Not long after, he catches his fourth and provides a quick pose for his Marshal.
Then he turns to do the same for the camera boats.
Then he turns to do the same for the camera boats.
Marty Robinson throws up a mud ball in the backwater.
Marty Robinson throws up a mud ball in the backwater.
Meanwhile, Greg Hackney flips flooded reeds.
Meanwhile, Greg Hackney flips flooded reeds.
Tommy Biffle fishes with the Ouachita Mountains in the background.
Tommy Biffle fishes with the Ouachita Mountains in the background.
John Murray runs in looking for a place to fish.
John Murray runs in looking for a place to fish.
Not long after, Fred Roumbanis comes looking as well.
Not long after, Fred Roumbanis comes looking as well.
Meanwhile, Tommy Biffle is casting.
Meanwhile, Tommy Biffle is casting.
The veteran river angler said he had about 17 pounds at the time.
The veteran river angler said he had about 17 pounds at the time.
J Todd Tucker fishes under a railroad bridge.
J Todd Tucker fishes under a railroad bridge.
Matt Herren runs past, giving a wave to Biffle.
Matt Herren runs past, giving a wave to Biffle.
Biffle continues to cast.
Biffle continues to cast.
Out on the river, a cat fisherman reels in a blue catfish.
Out on the river, a cat fisherman reels in a blue catfish.