Angler hooks $10,000 fish in week 5 of Mack Days
courtesy photo
Felix Gauci reacts when he discovers the small lake trout in his hands is the one and only tagged fish worth $10,000 in the Fall Mack Days fishing contest.
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News from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
FLATHEAD LAKE — A lake trout with a tag valued at $10,000 was caught by Felix Gauci on Saturday and was the cause for lots of excitement in the 2014 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks during the fifth weekend of the event. Felix was surprised to find out he had the tagged fish in his cooler as his fish were counted in. He was even more surprised when he found out it was the sought after $10,000 fish, aka “The General” that everyone had been hoping would be on the end of their fishing lines. Several anglers who were present at the check in witnessed the excitement of the moment. All were stunned, excited and happy for the hard working angler from Stevensville. “It really was out there” was heard and joked about as the anglers congratulated Gauci. Felix is currently in second place in the top ten angler standings.
There are still two $5,000, five $1,000 and more than 5,000 tagged fish with values from $100-$500.
John Malatare of Arlee stopped on his way to Blue Bay on Oct. 17 to fish Saturday with Bill Swaney. He fished for one hour and caught one fish — and it was tagged for $100.
A total of 7,751 lake trout entries have been turned in by the 408 entrants of the fishing event. Fridays fish total was 664, Saturday total was the second highest of the event so far with 836, and a rough and windy Sunday total was the lowest of the event with 129. Fish totals in the 2011 event after 15 days were at 10,111, 2012-6,976, and 2013-10,061.
The second of three Bucket of Fish Days was Saturday. Ted Peterson of Hamilton won $200 with a bucket weight of 26 pounds, 2 ounces for his four fish. The last bucket day will be Sunday, Nov. 9.
Mike Benson of Lonepine is leading the top ten anglers with 608 lake trout entries and an average for fifteen days of 40.5. The 70 and Over category has Larry Karper-Florence leading with 312 and ninth place in the top ten anglers.
Lady anglers are paced by Laurie Kreis of Huson with 238 entries and 10th in the top-ten anglers.
With 312 fish, Larry Karper of Florence is the leader in the 70 and older category.
Leading the youth 12 and under group is Tripp Bick of Arlee with 19 fish and Myles Tripp or Stevensville leads the 13-17 year olds with 24.
Top ten anglers are led by Mike Benson of Lonepine in first with 608. Top ten anglers reached the 15-day mark at the end of the fifth weekend. Now they will have to best their lowest day to receive tickets for the lottery drawing and will ultimately be placed by their best 15-day average.
Up to $125,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded on Nov. 16 at an awards ceremony and fish fry for family and friends. Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event. There is no charge to enter Mack Days Fishing Events. All it takes is one fish to be entered. The events are held and used as a tool to slowly reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake.
Anglers are reporting that casting towards shore is picking up and we have received a few entries from shore anglers the past weekend. For more information, check out the website www.mackdays.com for information, fish ID, entry forms, rules, etc, or call 406-883-2888 ext. 7294 or 406-270-3386.
Week 5 results
Top Ten
1 - Mike Benson, Lonepine608
2 - Felix Gauci, Stevensville527
3 - Scott Bombard, Missoula410
4 - Richard Kreis, Huson402
5 - David McDaniel, Polson394
6 - Terry Krogstad, Kalispell391
7 - Craig Morigeau, Polson354
8 - Phil Meredith, Kalispell336
9 - Larry Karper, Florence312
10- Laurie Kreis, Huson238
Lady anglers
1 - Laurie Kreis, Huson238
2 - Jeanee Mooney, Missoula 118
3 - Julie Vacca, Florence 53
4- Bobbie Hereford, Missoula44
5 - Kim McMillie, Ronan 43
Youth 12 and under
1 - Tripp Bick, Arlee 19
2 - Aaron Haynes, Arlee18
3 - Dusty Haynes, Arlee6
4 - Ayden Tripp, Stevensville6
5 - Elly Tripp, Stevensville3
Youth 13-17
1 - Myles Tripp, Stevensville24
2 - Garett Vaughan, Charlo8
3 - Kobe Cox, Charlo 7
70 and older
1 - Larry Karper, Florence312
2 - Glenn Hoffman, Missoula110
3 - Jim Hoover, Whitefish77
4- Bernd Albrecht, Polson48
5- Ralph Johnson, C. Falls47
Bucket of fish
1- Ted Peterson, Hamilton, 26 pounds, 2 ounces
2- Richard and Laurie Kreis, 25 pounds, 14 ounces
3- Bob and Bobbi Hereford, 23 pounds, 7 ounces
4- Tim and Jeanee Mooney 18 pounds, 3 ounces
5- Bill McIntyre of Conrad and Craig Morigeau, 17 pounds, 13 ounces
Tagged fish, weeks 4 and 5
$100
Ray Ochoa, St. Ignatius; Susanne Albrecht, Polson; Richard Kreis, Huson (three $100 tagged fish); Glenn Hoffman, Missoula; Phil Meredith, Kalispell (3); Tim Mooney, Missoula (2); Jeanee Mooney, Missoula; Larry Ashwell, Missoula; Felix Gauci, Stevensville; Bill Swaney (2), Missoula; Kim McMillie, Ronan; Paul Soukup, Ronan; Roger Schiff, Kalispell; Mike Benson, Lonepine; John Gauci, Florence; Laurie Kreis, Huson; Terry Krogstad, Kalispell; Phil Meredith, Kalispell; Scott Bombard, Missoula (3); Clay Anderson; Bob Hereford; and Nicole Lugibihl.
$200 fish
Phil Meredith, Kalispell (2).
