Mack Days: week 10 update

The success continues during the Spring Mack Days Fishing Event on Flathead Lake sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. A total of 31,975 lake trout have been turned in during the event. Friday's total was 1,321 with three anglers turning in 50 fish limits: Steve Benson, of Columbia Falls, Dan Long, of Columbia Falls, and Stephen Naethe, of Pablo. Saturday's total was 1,056 with three 50 fish limits: David McDaniels, of Polson, Dan Long, and Terry Krogstad, of Kalispell. Sunday the total was 1,118 with two 50's: Mike Benson, of Hot Springs and Roger Smart, of Ronan, entering 50 lake trout.

Leading is Naethe with 1,317 lake trout entries and a perfect 50.0-15 best day average. Following him is Steven Benson with 1,105, Michael Benson, of Lonepine, with 953, David McDaniels, of Polson, with 940, Charles Forgey, of Arlee, with 854, Craig Morigeau, of Polson, with 743, Roger Smart, of Ronan, with 723, Jerry Benson, of Plains, with 718, Dan Long, of Columbia Falls, with 679, Danny Smith, of Hot Springs, with 602, Tyson Atkinson, of Charlo, with 595, Scot Bombard, of Missoula, with 595, Bob Turner, of Columbia Falls, with 595, Sid Bitney, of Kalispell, with 539, Don Peters, of Missoula, with 514, Ryan Reed, of Hot Springs, with 498, and Dean Vaughan, of Charlo, with 490. The top ten angler prizes worth from $750-$200 are determined by the best 15 day totals the anglers have. As they accumulate more than 15 days the lower number days are dropped from their average. Bonus points continue to climb until the last day of the event-lottery tickets are also limited to the best 15 days.

Tagged fish worth $100 were turned in by Daniel Hunt, of St. Ignatius, Frank Parot, of Polson, Dan Long, Doug Bolender, of Kalispell, Naethe, Justin Shockley, of Plains, Charles Forgey, and Ray Dalke, of Polson. Roger Dilts, of Polson, turned in a $200 tagged fish. There are still over 2,000 tagged lake trout with values from $100-$5,000.

Ladies are led by Nicole Peters, of Missoula, with 336, Laurie Randall, of St. Ignatius, with 236, Debbie O'Hara, of St. Ignatius, with 193, Deana Knipe, of Polson, with 1 53, Teena Zempel, of Ravalli, with 117, Kim McMillie, of Polson, with 77, Charlotte Benson, of Plains, with 72, Julie Duncan, of 69, with Polson, Michelle Zempel, of Polson, with 55, Terry Biere, of Butte, with 52, and Amber WockSturgis, of Missoula, with 51.

Youth leaders (13-17) leading after Naethe are Brady Weible, of Charlo, with 174, Connor Kowalski, of Florence, with 66, Terry Biere, of Butte, with 52, Scott Gilleard, of Charlo, with 21, Keegan Noyd, of Missoula, with nine, Eric Sams, of Polson, with nine, Jake Shaffer, of Somers, with eight. The 12 and under group are lead by Garett Vaughan, of Charlo, with 230, Tanner Murry, of Columbia Falls, with 128, Daniel Hunt, of St. Ignatius, with 101, Kobe Cox, of Charlo, with 77, Roger Guillory, of Kalispell, with 65, and Benton Adams, of Ravalli, with 51.

Mack Days are used as a tool by fisheries managers to slowly reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake and increase the numbers of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout as called for in the Flathead Lake Co-Management Plan.

The event concludes May 23 with the last day awards and fish fry for participants and families beginning at 4 p.m. at Blue Bay. Entries are taken until the last day. All it takes is one fish to win in the lottery style drawing. Go to www.mackdays.com for information about the event or call 406-883-2888 ext. 7294.

-Courtesy of Cynthia Bras