![<p>The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open trophy sits next to the official tournament clock. That trophy is a ticket to the Bassmaster Classic.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0001_0.jpg)
![<p>Sponsor logos are prominently displayed during the pre-tournament meeting.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0002_1.jpg)
![<p>Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Tournament Director Chris Bowes lays down the law during the pre-tournament meeting for the James River Open.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0003_0.jpg)
![<p>The James River tournament drew a large field of competitors.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0004_1.jpg)
![<p>Former Bassmaster Classic champion and James River veteran Woo Daves competed in the first Northern Open of the season.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0005_0.jpg)
![<p>Elite Series pro Brandon Palaniuk finished in 11th place on the James.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0006_0.jpg)
![<p>Elite Series angler Randy Howell looks confident at the tournament meeting. He went on to win the Open in a big way.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0007_0.jpg)
![<p>Elite Series pro Fletcher Shryock missed the Top 12 cut by ounces.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0008_0.jpg)
![<p>Tournament Director Chris Bowes keeps things orderly during Thursdayâs take-off.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0009_0.jpg)
![<p>The B.A.S.S. crew checks livewells, lights and kill switches. If one of them isnât working, you canât go fishing until the problem is fixed.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0010.jpg)
![<p>I go through the boat check line Thursday with my partner Donnie Meade. </p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0011.jpg)
![<p>Fletcher Shryock turns in the key fob with his boat number at the end of Day Two.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0012_0.jpg)
![<p>I check in on day with Mike Johnson. I have only four bass in my box. Too little, too late.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0013.jpg)
![<p>Why am I smiling with only four bass in my bag? If you canât have fun doing this, you need an attitude adjustment.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0014.jpg)
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Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open angler Mark Hicks takes a look back at the James River competition.