Northern Open: Day 1 on James River

See how the first day of the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #1 presented by Allstate shaped up on the James River.

After traveling several miles from the launch area the first boat we found was Elite Series pro Mike Kernan.
After traveling several miles from the launch area the first boat we found was Elite Series pro Mike Kernan.
Brandon Palaniuk was fishing well into the cypress trees near Kernan.
Brandon Palaniuk was fishing well into the cypress trees near Kernan.
Duck blinds are a common sight along the river channel.
Duck blinds are a common sight along the river channel.
The large stationary blinds are good cover for fish, provide cover for duck hunters, and…
The large stationary blinds are good cover for fish, provide cover for duck hunters, and…
…a platform during the warmer months for critters to have a meal on.
…a platform during the warmer months for critters to have a meal on.
Lily pads are another popular cover options for anglers to attack.
Lily pads are another popular cover options for anglers to attack.
Pete Garnier is the lone Canadian angler to make the trip to fish Northern Open #1 on the James River.
Pete Garnier is the lone Canadian angler to make the trip to fish Northern Open #1 on the James River.
And of course Elite Series pro Carl Jocumsen is the lone Australian contender in the field.
And of course Elite Series pro Carl Jocumsen is the lone Australian contender in the field.
Mike Kernan said he was waiting on a favorable tide, and only had one fish in the boat early on Day 1.
Mike Kernan said he was waiting on a favorable tide, and only had one fish in the boat early on Day 1.
Elite Series anglers Carl Jocumsen and Derek Remitz shared a stretch of water early in the day.
Elite Series anglers Carl Jocumsen and Derek Remitz shared a stretch of water early in the day.
Remitz was the first of the two to make a move.
Remitz was the first of the two to make a move.
Speeding past Remitz is Charlie Hartley at full throttle…
Speeding past Remitz is Charlie Hartley at full throttle…
…speeding up the river to his next fishing location.
…speeding up the river to his next fishing location.
Jocumsen decides to bail on this place, too.
Jocumsen decides to bail on this place, too.
Jocumsen gets his boat on pad and makes his move.
Jocumsen gets his boat on pad and makes his move.
Remitz had much larger boat traffic to deal with after he stopped to fish.
Remitz had much larger boat traffic to deal with after he stopped to fish.
We found Hunter Shryock alternating fishing between the cover around cypress trees and lily pads.
We found Hunter Shryock alternating fishing between the cover around cypress trees and lily pads.
B.A.S.S. tournament veteran Terry Seagraves drove up from Florida to fish the James River.
B.A.S.S. tournament veteran Terry Seagraves drove up from Florida to fish the James River.
Carl Jocumsen takes time to re-tie while his boat slides between the giant cypress trees lining the river.
Carl Jocumsen takes time to re-tie while his boat slides between the giant cypress trees lining the river.
Then quickly gets back to work.
Then quickly gets back to work.
John Murray found some hard cover to fish.
John Murray found some hard cover to fish.
And nearby, so did former Dallas Cowboys football player, Gerald Sensabaugh.
And nearby, so did former Dallas Cowboys football player, Gerald Sensabaugh.
Fletcher Shryock powers down to fish a location near a duck blind.
Fletcher Shryock powers down to fish a location near a duck blind.
Luke Clausen was fishing an isolated stretch of lily pads.
Luke Clausen was fishing an isolated stretch of lily pads.