Mack Days week five results
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FLATHEAD LAKE —Fall Mack Days for 2023 continue with four weeks left in the nine-week long event, that ends on Nov. 12. It is not too late to become involved. Up to $200,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of Fall Mack Days. There are several different ways to win. All you need to do to qualify for the lottery drawings that begin at $2,000 is enter one lake trout. Every fish entered gives anglers a chance to win a drawing or maybe have a tagged lake trout on the line. The events are used as a management tool to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake and increase the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat numbers.
Total count in the event so far is 11,099 fish with 2,549 from the Monday to Thursday fishing. Friday’s total was 541, Saturday’s was 618, and Sunday’s was 538 for a weekend total of 1,697. The 2022 total at this time was 10,374 and in 2021 the total came to 9,291. Of the 308 anglers entered in this year’s event,102 have turned in one or more lake trout.
The $10,000 tagged lake trout “Ghost” is still silently gliding through the waters of Flathead Lake and lake trout anglers are hoping to bring him up at the end of a line. He could be anywhere in Flathead Lake. There are also three-$5,000 and six-$1,000 tagged fish, including one sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine and over 9,000 with values from $100-$500. Winners of $200 tagged lake trout over the fifth week were: Eric Peterson of Kalispell, Tim Mooney of Missoula, and Michael Benson of Lonepine and $100 tags were turned in by Darrin Farrelly of Kalispell, Julie Perkins of Kalispell, Mike Khoudary of Stevensville, Jerry Benson of Plains, Cole Williams of Kalispell, and Michael Benson.
There is a new leader in the Top Twenty Category. Felix Gauci of Stevensville is leading the Top Twenty anglers with 849 lake trout entries. His totals for the weekend were 37 on Friday, 51on Saturday, and 54 on Sunday. David Myers of Riverton, Wyoming, is in second place with 839 total entries and weekend numbers of 43, 51, & 33; in third place is Michael Benson with a total of 659 and weekend numbers of 37, 28, & 24; in fourth place is Bob Stewart of Kalispell with a 619 total and weekend numbers of 19, 34, & 25; in fifth place is Jerry Benson of Plains with a total of 509 and weekend numbers of 24, 26, & 34; in sixth place is Jack Kirkland of Lolo with a total of 442 and in seventh place is Larry Ashwell of Missoula with a total 429; in eighth place is Larry Karper of Florence with a total of 376; in ninth place is Scott Bombard of Missoula with a total of 319; in 10th place is Richard Kreis of Huson with a total of 315; in 11th place is Terry Krogstad of Kalispell with a total of 311; in 12th place is Steve Mack of Helena with a total of 221; in 13th place is Laurie Kreis of Huson with a total of 196; in 14th place is Sam Sacchi of Thompson Falls with a total of 193; in 15th place is Jim Flinchbaugh of Kalispell with a total of 142, in 16th place is Debby Sacchi of Thompson Falls with a total of 133; in 17th place is Claude Kaber of Kalispell with a total of 122; in 18th place is Paul Grove of Wyoming, Illinois with a total of 116; in 19th place is Monte McPherson in Silverdale, Washington with a total of 104; and in 20th place is Julie Perkins with a total of 98.
Totals and placing can change fast. Anglers are limited to 100 lake trout per day and the top ten are placed by their best 18-day average at the conclusion of the event. Laurie Kries is leading the Ladies with a total of 196; in second is Debby Sacchi with a total of 133 total; in third place is Julie Perkins with a total of 98; in fourth place is Kim Mack of Helena with 67; and in fifth place is Pamela Simonich of Missoula with14.
Paisley and Blaine Helvey of Thompson Falls are in first and second place in the 12 & Under category with 14 each. Zander Oliver of Missoula has five; and with one entry each are Bear Yarrow, Holden Griffin, Ace Whimper of Clinton, Wesley Balavage-Fishtail, Mason Cusker of Bigfork, and Dawson Peterson of Kalispell.
The second day of the Heaviest Bucket of Fish was won by Richard and Laurie Kreis with a bucket weight of 34.65 pounds, in second place is Rick Skates of Big Arm with 28.0 pounds, in third place are Terry Krogstad and Julie Perkins with 22.6 pounds; in fourth place is Monte McPherson with 21.35 pounds; and in fifth place is Sam Cusker of Bigfork with 20.5 pounds. The third day of the Buckets event will be Sunday Nov. 7.
There is still no Largest Lake Trout entry. Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula sponsors a $500 prize for the largest lake trout entry. The lake trout has to be over 36 inches and weight at least 20 pounds. Anglers have reported having really large ones on the line but they just have not landed them in the boat.
The fifth Weekend Drawings were won by: Julie Perkins who won $200 and for $100 drawings winners were Scott Bombard, Richard Kreis, Claude Kaber of Whitefish, and Jim Flinchbaugh of Kalispell.
Go to the website: www.mackdays.com for more information on categories, fishing tips, results, etc. Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event and there is no entry fee. Contact Cindy Benson at 406-270-3386 for more information and email entries to: cindy.benson@cskt.org.
Good luck and tight lines everyone!
