We departed Kenlake Marina about 9:30 am headed up the lake about 25.2 miles to Paris Landing. We arrived about 1:00 pm and checked in after securing Lucky Us alongside the transient dock. A few minutes later we notice a LOT of bass boats heading into the marina. It turns out that there was a Toyota Truck Owners Bass Tournament that was in the process of ending. There was a staggered check in at 2:00 and 2:30 pm.
The boats entered the harbor and headed to the first dock where they tossed their tracking chip into a fish net. The man holding the net then passed the chip off to someone to scan the chip. Officials on the dock handed each boat two bags. There were some professional fishermen that were sponsored by Toyota, but most of the teams were amateurs. The mix of anglers included couples, parents and children, friends, etc.
The fish were first put into a net bag, which was then put into a larger bag with water in it to keep the fish alive. The picture at the right shows the boat just off our stern. They had three live wells with fish in each. They are carefully putting a fish into a bag in the picture. Once the bags were loaded, it was off the dock to the check in area where they had a stage, tables, chairs and food (for the contestants). There were lots of ESPN logos as well as Toyota, but we did not manage to "get on TV'.
The announcer was quite professional and trying his best, but most of the anglers had less than the 5 fish limit. In the picture at the left one team member is showing off two of their bass, while the man in the left is holding the "water bag". The fish were all weighed in the net bags and then put back in the water bag. The fish must be alive to be counted, and then they are put into a big tank to be returned to the lake. They were serious fishermen, but the rules also included catch and release.
We did not stay very long since it was hot in the sun, but the fish in the picture at the right was the top fish in the running for the biggest (single) fish of the day. It was 5 pounds 6 ounces, but there were many more teams to check in yet.
The picture at the left shows me (on the right) chatting with one of the locals. Everyone was having a good time, and many of the participants had families greet them at the dock. There were cash prizes for the top 30 teams as well as random cash drawings for the teams outside the money.
When we got back to Lucky Us, it was nap time, and when I got up, all of the boats had been loaded and were gone. It was back to being a rather quiet setting along the docks.
We did not pass under any bridges or go through any locks today, but the marina is adjacent to the Ned R. McWherter Bridge across Kentucky Lake. For dinner we walked out along the edge of the campground to the main road. After crossing the main road we followed a lovely drive about a quarter mile to the Paris Landing Lodge and Convention Center. The lodge is in a beautiful setting perhaps a 100 feet above the lake. I did not get any pictures since by then it was getting pretty dark especially with all of the big trees (my weak excuse). We had a nice view from our table, and we tried to restrain ourselves at the very good buffet. I was doing a good job until I hit the desserts...
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