Spring Mack Days: Turner enjoys perfect weekend
It was a great Easter weekend for Spring Mack Days leading angler Kolton Turner of Kalispell, whose basket was full with his limit of 100 fish all three days. His total is at 692.
Jason Mahlen of Kalispell almost matched Kolton with two days of 100 (four in a row) and a Sunday total of 92 entries. His total is now at 662. Bob Turner of Kalispell had a few more than Jason for the weekend, with two 100-fish days and a 96 on Saturday, to end up with a final total of 557.
Sam Cusker of Bigfork is in fourth in the overall spring standings with 377 entries after three weeks of fishing. Steve Benson of Spokane Valley, Wash., is fifth with 366, followed by Ken Varga of Kalispell (350), Mike Benson of Lonepine (348), Tyler Varga of Kalispell (336), Scott Bombard of Missoula (326) and Travis Banyai of Lakeside with 269.
The Flathead Lake event, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, had 3,963 lake trout entries during Week 3, which is the highest so far in the event. Totals for the three days were: 1,341 Friday, 1,604 Saturdayand 1,018 Sunday. The Monday-Thursday total was 398 entries, bringing that total to 1,074 for eight days of weekday fishing. The lake trout final total for three weeks is at 11,125.
Up to $225,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the event on May 16.
Julie Perkins leads the ladies category with 161 entries, followed by Connie Jones of Kalispell (33), Laurie Kreis of Huson (20), Lisa Cloo of Clinton (15) and Rebecca Spring of Alberton (14).
The 70-and-over leader is Larry Ashwell of Missoula with 183, followed by Larry Karper of Florence (180), Jack Kirkland of Missoula (134), Marty Herak of Polson (108) and John Gauci of Florence (63).
Matt Guckenberg Jr. of Kalispell is first in the 13-17 category with 93, followed by Josey McIlhargey of Kalispell (23) and Abby Hodgson of Kalispell with 20.
Still out there are the $10,000 tagged lake trout, three worth $5,000, five worth $1,000 and more than 9,000 worth $100 to $500.
Turning in $100 tagged fish last week were: Dave Hoback of Arlee, Bob Turner (2), Mike Benson, Danner Shima of Kalispell, Mike Shae of Kalispell, Sam Cusker (2), Chris Shae of Kalispell, Justin Spring of Alberton and Joe Minnehan of Kalispell. Turning in $200 tagged fish last week were: Felix Gauci of Stevensville, Kolton Turner, Jason Mahlen and Connie Jones.
Winners of a special drawing on Easter were: Ellis Surratt of Huson, Siberian Soft Side Cooler; Chris Shae, Powell Rod; and Bob Turner, Siberian insulated mug. Weekend winners for the third weekend drawing of $100 each were: Chris Shae, Mike Benson, Scott Bombard, Sheldon Woldstad of Somers and Sou Thao of Florence.
The event continues on for six more weeks. Pickups are done Friday to Sunday at Somers (3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the state boat ramp); Wayfarer State Park boat ramp (5 to 5:30 p.m.), Big Arm (5 to 5:30 p.m.) and Salish Point (6 to 6:30 p.m.). Anglers can turn fish in at Blue Bay from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, all fish are to be turned in to Blue Bay before 6 p.m.
Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event and there is no entry fee. For more information visit www.mackdays.com.