A different day dawns

Bye-bye clouds, hello sunshine

HENDERSON, N.C. – “Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind; It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shiny day” – so go the lyrics of Johnny Nash’s hit “I Can See Clearly Now,” and so go the attitudes of Stren Series anglers on day two of the Kerr Lake Northeast Division event.

The Alberto rains are gone, and today promises to bring the perfect fishing day: sunny, 82 degrees and light winds. Those that wanted sun yesterday are going to get it today.

Leader Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, S.C., is one of those hoping for sun, despite catching 17 pounds, 5 ounces in the rain yesterday.

“During practice, I did better with the sun out,” said Montgomery, who is fishing a jig both deep and shallow to catch his fish. “Yesterday brought the worst possible conditions for what I’m doing. It might be a mistake to wish for sunshine today, but I’m going to do it because that’s when I’ve caught them best.”

Second-place pro Chris Baldwin of Lexington, N.C., echoed Montgomery’s thoughts.

“I’ve always done better when the sun is out here; maybe it’s because I stay drier,” Baldwin said. “I was pleasantly surprised with what I caught yesterday, given the heavy clouds. If I can get a solid limit early this morning, then I can use the rest of the day to check some other stuff for the finals.”

The day-two weigh-in begins at 2:30 p.m. Eastern at Satterwhite Park. Those who cannot attend the weigh-in can still catch all the action online as it happens with FLW Live. Tune in today to see who survives the semifinal round cut to 20 anglers in each division.

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 5:56

Temperature at takeoff: 61 degrees

Water temperature: 75-80 degrees

Expected high temperature: 82 degrees

Wind: NNW at 5 to 10 mph

Day’s outlook: sunny