Day One launch on Douglas

It was an early, cold and rainy start for 180 boats on Day One of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 on Douglas Lake.

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Anglers were fueling up with coffee for an early, cold and rainy start to Day One of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 on Douglas Lake.
Anglers were fueling up with coffee for an early, cold and rainy start to Day One of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 on Douglas Lake.
Co-anglers wait with their gear to hook up with their Day One pros.
Co-anglers wait with their gear to hook up with their Day One pros.
The morning scene on Douglas Lake.
The morning scene on Douglas Lake.
Dandridge Point Marina at the Point Resort was the site of the morning launch.
Dandridge Point Marina at the Point Resort was the site of the morning launch.
Spectators took photos with their phones and cameras of their favorite competitors.
Spectators took photos with their phones and cameras of their favorite competitors.
Elite Series anglers Casey Scanlon and Brandon Palaniuk check in before the morning launch.
Elite Series anglers Casey Scanlon and Brandon Palaniuk check in before the morning launch.
Bassmaster Open competitor Joey Nania performed the national anthem.
Bassmaster Open competitor Joey Nania performed the national anthem.
<p>One hundred and eighty boats staged for Day One on Douglas Lake.</p>
One hundred and eighty boats staged for Day One on Douglas Lake.
Early flights of boats begin to idle past the morning safety and livewell inspection.
Early flights of boats begin to idle past the morning safety and livewell inspection.
<p>Douglas Lake is stop number two of the Southern Opens. The first stop took place at Florida's Lake Toho.</p>
Douglas Lake is stop number two of the Southern Opens. The first stop took place at Florida’s Lake Toho.
Charlie Hartley is one of several Elite Series anglers competing on Douglas Lake.
Charlie Hartley is one of several Elite Series anglers competing on Douglas Lake.
Terry Scroggins straps down his rods as he finishes preparing for Day One.
Terry Scroggins straps down his rods as he finishes preparing for Day One.
With 180 boats starting on Day One, late flights of anglers had a long wait for their appointed launch times.
With 180 boats starting on Day One, late flights of anglers had a long wait for their appointed launch times.
The final flight of boats begins to idle onto Douglas Lake.
The final flight of boats begins to idle onto Douglas Lake.
Josh Douglas pulls his trolling motor as his launch time nears.
Josh Douglas pulls his trolling motor as his launch time nears.
<p>With a 70% chance of rain forecasted, anglers were dressed for a wet boat ride.</p>
With a 70% chance of rain forecasted, anglers were dressed for a wet boat ride.
Rain began to fall before boats left the launch area.
Rain began to fall before boats left the launch area.
Darren Gallaher was one of the last boats to leave.
Darren Gallaher was one of the last boats to leave.
<p>Mark Hicks is a frequent contributor to Bassmaster.com, and is fishing Douglas Lake as a co-angler. Mark will write about his experiences at the Southern Open.</p>
Mark Hicks is a frequent contributor to Bassmaster.com, and is fishing Douglas Lake as a co-angler. Mark will write about his experiences at the Southern Open.
David Walker is a local favorite from nearby Sevierville, Tenn.
David Walker is a local favorite from nearby Sevierville, Tenn.
Bobby Douglas won the last Southern Open on Douglas Lake.
Bobby Douglas won the last Southern Open on Douglas Lake.