Fall Mack Days competition continues
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FLATHEAD LAKE – Windblown lake trout anglers recently completed the second weekend of 2018 Fall Mack Days on Flathead Lake that started on Sept. 21. The eight-week event continues until Nov. 11 with anglers fishing Tuesday through Fridays.
Three windy days in a row kept many anglers off the water during the second weekend. The wind began early Friday and the lake trout total came in at 316. One hundred one lake trout entries were turned in on Saturday. Boats were rocking and rolling all day from the strong gusty winds. There was no relief from the wind that clocked in at a sustained 37 mph at Yellow Bay.
Sunday morning was no different with continued blustery and gusty winds. The afternoon calmed down and relieved anglers were able to get to their fishing areas. There were a total of 333 lake trout entries. The second weekend total came to seven hundred and fifty. Our event total through the second weekend was 3,238.
Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes with up to $150,000 in cash and prizes, which are awarded at the conclusion of the event. Entries are taken until the last day. There are no entry fees. Turning in one lake trout gets an angler entered in the lottery style drawing that begins at $1,000. The drawing is held on the last day of the event.
Mack Days fishing events are used to reduce non-native lake trout numbers in Flathead Lake and increase the numbers of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.
Walter, the most wanted lake trout in Flathead Lake, is still lurking somewhere. The reward for this most wanted tagged lake trout is $10,000. His whereabouts are unknown along with those of his three $5,000 counterparts. There are also five $1,000 fish and 6,000 other tagged lake trout with values from $500 to $100.
These prize-winning lake trout are very suspicious looking. They can easily be identified by their adipose fin clip. At this time, they may be coming in closer to shore as they are getting ready to spawn. Fish are starting to be caught off the docks. If you should find one of them on the end of your line, capture the fish and turn him in to find out if he is a Mack Days tagged lake trout.
Shawn Madsen of Whitefish and Steve Mack of Helena turned in $100 tagged fish during the second weekend.
Mike Benson of Lone Pine leads the top ten anglers with 266 lake trout entries. David McDaniel of Polson is second, and Felix Gauci of Stevensville is third.
Julie Perkins of Kalispell is first in the women’s category, Gina Schiff of Whitefish is second, and Kimberly Mack of Helena is third.
In the 12 and under category, Tripp Bick of Arlee has two entries, Brodie Smith of Kalispell has one, and Michael Marlatt of Missoula has one.
Smallest lake trout leaders at this time are Larry Karper and Sam Cusker with 189mm entries. No large lake trout entries have been turned in so far.
For more information about the event, go to www.mackdays.com and click on the events tab at the top of the page or telephone 406-270-3386 or 406-883-2888 ex. 7294 or 7282.
