Anglers attack during third Mack Days weekend
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During the first nine days of Mack Days anglers have turned in 4,118 lake trout entries. Anglers turned in 848 lake trout on a calm beautiful Friday, Oct. 10, more than either day the rest of the weekend. Saturday was a windy rough day on the water with fewer fishermen, but they turned in 239 entries. Sunday was a little calmer but more sporadic winds made it harder to stay on the fish. More anglers turned in entries on Sunday totaling 412.
The totals for the 2014 Fall event compare to 2012 numbers of 4,259 after nine days but are much fewer than the 2013 numbers of 6,809. Several thing affect numbers fishing with the main one being the weather. Wind is the enemy of anglers, and they’ve had to deal with windy several days.
Angler Richard Kreis of Huson and his wife Laurie turned in a $500 tagged lake trout on Sunday. Richard currently is sitting in 9th place in the top ten angler category, and Laurie is leading the ladies category. This tagged fish made the long hard hours spent fishing three 12-hour days in a row a little less stressful. Turning in $100 tagged lake trout were: Terry Krogstad, Kalispell; Mike Benson, Lonepine; David McDaniel, Polson; Susan Albrecht, Polson; GW Schneider, Kalispell; Craig Morigeau, Polson; and Tracy Wall, Polson.
The Golden Oldie (ninety eight years young) angler of the event, Stan Tattle of Polson, turned in a fish on Friday. Larry Karper, Florence is first in the 70 and over category with 191, 2nd Glenn Hoffman, Missoula, 57; 3rd Jim Hoover, Whitefish, 54; 4th Ralph Johnson, Columbia Falls, 30; 5th tie between Bernd and Susanne Albrecht, Polson, 18 each.
Youth angler Aaron Haynes, Arlee, leads the under 12 group with 10 fish; Elly Tripp, Stevensville, 3; Dusty Haynes, Arlee, 3; and Ayden Tripp, Stevensville, 2.
Myles Tripp leads the 13-17 group with 11 followed by Kobe Cox of Charlo with 7.
In the ladies category, Laurie Kreis leads with 135 fish; Julie Vacca, Florence, 41; Jeanee Mooney, Missoula, 40; Debra Pike, Kalispell, 29; and Kim McMillie, Ronan, 23.
Despite a bear visiting his boat and making a new entryway in the cover, Mike Benson, Lonepine, leads the event with 343 lake trout entries. Following Benson is Scott Bombard, Missoula, 277; 3rd Felix Gauci, Stevensville, 270; 4th Terry Krogstad, Kalispell, 223; 5th Craig Morigeau, Polson, 216; 6th Phil Meredith, Kalispell, 195; 7th David McDaniel, Polson, 193; 8th Larry Karper, Florence,191; 9th Richard Kreis, Huson; and 10th John Gauci, Florence, 160.
Mack Days staff encourages anglers to be safe and wear life jackets (PFD). Have rain gear, safety equipment, cell phone, etc. ,on board and properly stowed. Be aware of weather conditions and watch for changes.
Telephone 406-883-2888 ex. 7294 for more information.
Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and are used as a management tool to slowly reduce non-native lake trout and improve the balance with the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat in Flathead Lake and is consistent with the Flathead Lake Co-Management Plan. The event is sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
