Fall Mack Days midway
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Anglers have reached the half way mark of the 2013 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event. Up to $125,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the angler’s at the conclusion of Mack Days. Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
Whitefish angler Roger Schiff won $5,000 on Saturday with a tagged lake trout. Schiff was fishing with friend Phil Meredith of Kalispell when he caught the lucky tagged fish at Bird Island. The lake trout had been tagged in the same area Oct. 3rd. Both anglers had a tagged fish to turn in. Phil’s fish had a tag worth $100.
There are still four $5,000 tagged lake trout, one $10,000, 10 with a $1,000 tag and more than 4,500 with values from $100-$500.
Mike Benson of Lonepine is leading the anglers with a total of 585, Jeanee Mooney is first in the Ladies category with 158, Eric Sams leads the youth 13-17 with 45 and Dylan Hodgson leads the 12 and under category with 23.
Friday’s total entries were 784, Saturday 595, and Sunday 263. Total lake trout entered in the event so far is 8,449, which is 1,938 over the 2012 total after 12 days and 753 shy of the 12-day total for 2011.
The weather warning of high winds on Sunday was right on with most anglers making the choice not to chance going out at all and other anglers coming in off the water in the late afternoon when the winds began. Once it began there was no place to go if you weren’t close to a boat ramp. One angler spent the night on Bird Island waiting out the storm. This is a reminder to everyone to have good safety equipment for an emergency situation, including an anchor with a good long rope, the best personal floatation device life vest that you can afford, extra clothing, hat and gloves, water, food, flashlight, cell phone, etc.
On Oct. 26, the Bucket of Fish Day was won by the Kreis team with 22 pounds, 10 ounces. Anglers pick their four heaviest fish to be weighed in the bucket, and the daily winner receives $200. Overall winners will be decided on Nov. 10, the last day for the Bucket of Fish.
Entries are taken until the last day of the event. You can enter on line or enter when you bring your fish in. There are four places to enter your fish. Check out the website for locations and times.
For more information go to www.mackdays.com or call (406) 883-2888, ext. 7294.
Results, Week 4
1Mike Benson Lonepine 585
2Roger DiltsPolson539
3Scott BombardMissoula503
4Tim MooneyMissoula455
5Terry KrogstadKalispell442
6Phil MeredithKalispell414
7Steven BensonFour Lakes, WA.405
8Danny SmithHot Springs334
9Max MartzCorvallis321
10 Larry AshwelMissoula251
Ladies
1Jeanee MooneyMissoula158
2Deana KnipePolson92
3Laurie KreisHuson67
4Kim McMillieRonan61
5Julie VaccaFlorence34
Youth 13-17
1Eric Sams45
Youth 12 and under
2Dylan Hodgson 23
Tagged fish - $100
Steve Benson, Craig Morigeau, Scott Bombard, Roger Dilts, Jim Chinn, Mike Benson, Phil Meredith, Laurie Kreis, Richard Kreis, and Terry Krogstad (2).
Bucket of Fish Day (four heaviest)
1Kreis team22 pounds, 10 ounces
2Dilts18 pounds, 12 ounces
3Krogstad18 pounds, 9 ounces
4Mooney18 pounds, 8 ounces
5Meredith/Schiff17 pounds, 13 ounces
