Clouds, wind greet Potomac EverStart finalists

Changing conditions could alter patterns

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Sunny, calm and warm conditions have been the order of the week so far in EverStart Series Northeast Division competition at the Potomac River. But that looks to change as the 10 pro and 10 co-angler finalists head out Friday to begin the two-day final round.

Temperatures should stay relatively high, but scattered storms are forecast throughout the day. The anglers launched this morning under a thick blanket of clouds and a good chop on the main river, which had some pros retooling their fishing arsenal.

“This is the first time all week that I’ve put another rod on my deck,” said pro J.T. Kenney, who is notorious for flipping in just about any conditions, as he unwound a rod rigged with topwater bait and strapped it to his boat deck. “But who knows? I’ll probably throw this about three times before I go back to flipping.”

Whatever they’re throwing, expect the anglers to enjoy a rougher boat ride this morning than they’ve experienced the first two days. There’s a 50-percent chance of rain for Friday, which, combined with the wind, will certainly make things compelling as pros scramble to adjust their patterns.

Keep in mind, too, that many of the pro finalists got this far by running downriver in the afternoon and fishing the falling tide. Low tide isn’t expected until a little later today, around 3 p.m., and that will come into play as the anglers will be forced to fish against the clock even more than usual.

Everybody’s fishing for best two-day weight Friday and Saturday to determine the pro and co-angler winners of this event.

Day-three weigh-in festivities begin at 4 p.m. Eastern time at the Wal-Mart store located at 17041 Jefferson Davis Hwy. in Dumfries, Va. The on-site Fujifilm trout pond for kids opens at 2:30 p.m.

Friday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 6:27 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 72 degrees

Expected high temperature: 85 degrees

Water temperature: 81-87 degrees

Wind: SSE at 9 mph

Maximum humidity: 77 percent

Day’s outlook: scattered thunderstorms