Spring Mack Days Week 2 results
Week 2 of the 2021 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake ended with winds bringing anglers off the lake early Sunday before the predicted high winds began. A National Weather Service Advisory was heeded by many anglers, who wisely decided to stay safe off the wild white-capping waters.
At the end of the day Friday, the total came to 1,177 entries, and at the end of the day Saturday, the total was 1,083. With 242 lake trout entries turned in Sunday, the weekend total was 2,502.
The two-week total for weekends came to 6,088, plus the Monday-to-Thursday fishing of 676 brings the final count to 6,764 lake trout entries.
Up to $225,000 in cash and prizes are available. All anglers need to do is turn in one lake trout entry to be entered in the lottery drawings that begin at $1,000 at the conclusion of the event. There are several categories that anglers may be entered in. Ladies, Youth-13-17 and 12 and under, Over 70, Smallest and Largest Lake Trout, etc. Check out the categories at www.mackdays.com.
The $10,000 tagged lake trout (JAWS) is still out there, along with three worth $5,000, five worth $1,000 and more than 9,000 with values from $100 to $500.
There were three perfect 100 fishing limit days turned in the second week of the event. Jason Mahlen of Kalispell turned in perfect scores Friday and Saturday. Jason chose not to go out Sunday because of the high-wind warning. Kolton Turner, also of Kalispell, had a perfect 100 Saturday. He came close Friday with 95 and turned in 77 on Sunday. Catching 100 fish a day is no small task.
Kolton Turner of Kalispell is leading the Top Angler category with 392, followed by Jason Mahlen (370), Scott Bombard of Missoula (262), Bob Turner of Kalispell (261), Mike Benson of Lonepine (260), and Steven Benson of Spokane Valley, Wash. (241).
Top 10 anglers are placed by their best 18-day average at the conclusion of the event. Anglers in 11th to 20th positions also earn a cash prize.
The ladies are led by Julie Perkins of Kalispell with 80, followed by Laurie Kries of Huson (20), Terry Biere of Butte (7), and Polson angler Debbie Paine with 6.
Golden Oldies (70 and Over) leader is Jack Kirkland with 165, followed by Larry Ashwell of Missoula (155), Larry Karper of Florence (106), Marty Herak of Polson (55) and John Gauci of Florence with 54.
Matt Guckenberg Jr. of Kalispell leads the 13-17 group with 45. Josey McIhargey Jr. of Kalispell is second with 16, and Abby Hodgson of Kalispell is third with 12.
Brodi Smith of Kalispell has 82 in the 12 and under group, followed by Tripp Bick of Arlee with five and Gage Spring of Alberton with one.
Tom Kemppainen turned in a 189mm (7 ¾) small lake trout and is in second behind Jack Kirkland’s 175mm (6 7/8”) small lake trout. Riley Anderson of Kalispell has the largest fish entry lead with a 40” 21.25-pound lake trout.
Winning $100 each in the second weekend drawing were: Bob Turner, Matt Guckenberg Jr., Roy Hassinger, Larry Ashwell and Ellis Surratt of Huson. Roy is in the 70 and Over group and turned in two fish-just goes to show you don’t have to be in the Top Angler category to win.
Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event and there is no entry fee. Currently seven hundred twenty-one anglers are registered. One hundred thirty-four have caught one or more lake trout.
Safety on the water is very important. Know the daily weather report and watch for changes, have safety equipment available on board, keep your cell phone in a sealed bag, and have a plan. For more information, visit www.mackdays.com.