Mack Days week 4 results announced
courtesy photo
Mason Cusker of Bigfork turns in his catch on Sunday, Oct. 8
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
News from CSKT
FLATHEAD LAKE — Anglers have almost hit the half way mark of the 2023 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Up to $200,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the event. Beautiful fall weather lasted the weekend of Oct. 6-8 for hard-working anglers. We are seeing people who have never fished the event trying their luck and some are doing well. Great to see — good luck to all. Mack Days continues until Nov. 12. Entries will be taken until the last day. Ninety-eight anglers have turned in one lake trout or more to get entered into the lottery drawings that begin at $2,000 and go to $100. Total from Friday-688, Saturday-659, and Sunday-528. Friday to Sunday total for four weeks is 6,853. Monday to Thursday total is 2,162. Final of all days is 9,015. The 2022 Fall Event was at 8,489 four weeks in and the 2021 Event was at 7,804.
Ghost, the $10,000 tagged lake trout is still deep cruising around the lake. There are also 3-$5,000, 6-$1,000 including one sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula, plus over 9,000 with values from $100-$500. Tagged lake trout have been released and caught in all areas of Flathead Lake. Sam Sacchi of Thompson Falls caught a lake trout with a $200 tag. Jack Kirkland of Lolo and Terry Krogstad of Kalispell each came in with $100 tagged lakers.
Anglers earn bonus dollars as their fish totals go up once they reach 11 lake trout entries. As the total goes up the levels change. The bonus chart is on the website in the rules page www.mackdays.com. Bonus dollars help pay for the cost of gas, boats, equipment, etc. We could not do this without the anglers help. They make the events successful.
Dave Myers of Riverton, Wyoming, continues to lead in the Top 10 Angler category with 712 lake trout. His total on Friday was 65, Saturday 62, and Sunday 30. Felix Gauci of Stevensville is in 2nd with 707-71, 78, & 77, 3rd Michael Benson of Lonepine with 570-71, 28, 23, 4th Bob Stewart of Kalispell with 541-48, 25, 22, 5th Jerry Benson of Plains-425-64, 54, 36, 6th Jack Kirkland of Lolo-373-48, 45, 12, 7th Larry Ashwell of Missoula with 365-41, 20, 20, 8th Larry Karper of Florence with 299-42, 19, 35, 9th Scott Bombard of Missoula 283-32, 23, 15, 10th Richard Kreis of Huson 256-20, 12, 20. The 11th to 20th placings are 11th Steve Mack-Helena 221, 12th Terry Krogstad-Kalispell 207, 13th Sam Sacchi-Thompson Falls 158, 14th Laurie Kreis-Huson 148, 15th Paul Grove-Wyoming, IL-116, 16th Claude Kaber-Whitefish 97, 17th Debby Sacchi-Thompson Falls 93, 18th Jim Flinchbaugh-Kalispell 89, 19th Monte McPherson-Silverdale, WA 76, & 20th Kim Mack-Helena 67.
Paisley and Blaine Helvey of Thompson Falls are tied with 14 each and lead the 12 & Under Category. Bear Yarrow, Holden Griffin, Ace Whimper of Clinton along with Wesley Balavage of Fishtail, and Mason Cusker of Bigfork all have entered one lake trout. Special thank you to the youth anglers-you are making a difference and thank you to parents and grandparents for encouraging them as anglers.
Leading the 70 and Over Category is Felix Gauci with 707, 2nd Michael Benson-570, 3rd Jack Kirkland-373, 4th Larry Ashwell-365, 5th Larry Karper-299. Our oldest expert angler entered in the event ninety-three-year-old Leonard Lewis of Missoula entered lake trout over the weekend. He and friend Glenn Hoffman also of Missoula (90) have fished the event for many years.
Laurie Kreis is 1st in the Ladies with 148, 2nd Debby Sacchi-93, 3rd Kim Mack-67, 4th Julie Perkins of Kalispell-20, and 5th Pamela Simonich of Missoula with 14.
Weekend winners were: $200-Felix Gauci, $100-Joe Minnehan-Kalispell, Scott Bombard, Zander Oliver-Missoula, and Dave Myers. First time youth angler Zander entered and he was a winner with his three entries.
Mack Days Fishing Events are used as a management tool to reduce non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. Come out and try your luck-you may be a lucky winner. For information check out the website: www.mackdays.com.
Good luck and tight lines everyone!
