Lonepine angler makes a move for Mack Days' top spot

There are plenty of tagged fish worth thousands of dollars swimming around Flathead Lake as the 2021 Fall Mack Days fishing event heads down the home stretch, and the last of three bucket days is set for Sunday, Nov. 7.

The race for top overall angler is heating up as Mike Benson of Lonepine passed Felix Gauci of Stevensville for most, but Benson holds a slim 10-entry lead and Gauci still leads the Top 10 on best 18-day average. This year’s event runs through Sunday, Nov. 14.

So far, anglers have turned in a total catch of 11,615 lake trout entries during the event, which is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Up to $200,000 in cash and prizes will be distributed by the end of the event. Every entry earns a spot in the lottery drawing that begins at $50 and goes to $2,000. Once anglers reach 11 lake trout entries they begin to accumulate bonus amounts. The higher their total the higher the bonus amount.

Three tagged lake trout worth $5,000 remain, along with five $1,000 fish and more than 9,000 fish worth $100 to $500. Plus, there is one extra $1,000 sponsored tagged fish for merchandise at Bretz RV and Marine in Missoula. For more information, visit www.mackdays.com.

The last of the three Bucket Days is Sunday. Weights are taken of the four heaviest fish under 30 inches. Shore anglers have a chance to be real competitors in this category. This is the best time of the year to catch large fish from shore. Winner of a Bucket Day receives a $200 prize. There is a tie for best overall buckets — Rick Skates and Jens Gran are both tied at 18 points so far.

Top Angler leaders

Mike Benson of Lonepine leads with 867, followed by Felix Gauci with 857. Gauci had most entries for the entire event until this week.

The Top 10 anglers are placed by their best 18 days. Gauci has an average of 47.61, which has him in first, and Benson has an average of 46.56 for second place. Third place is held by Larry Karper of Florence with 657 and average of 35.56, followed by Scott Bombard of Missoula (508, 27.28), Jack Kirkland of Missoula (491, 27.0), Terry Krogstad of Kalispell (489, 25.89), Larry Ashwell of Missoula (470, 25.67), Julie Perkins of Kalispell (478, 25.28), Sam Cusker of Bigfork (440, 25.88) and John Gauci of Florence (430, 23.83).

70 and Over

Larry Karper leads with 657 entries, followed by Jack Kirkland (491), Larry Ashwell (470), John Gauci (430), Paul Grove of Wyoming, Ill. (101).

Ladies

Julie Perkins has a total of 478 for first, followed by Laurie Kreis of Huson (327), Kim Mack of Missoula (102), Gina Schiff of Whitefish (67) and Debby Sacchi of Thompson Falls (51).

13-17

Blake Williams of Big Arm leads with nine. Ashlin Peters of Polson and Kaden Blowers of Missoula each have two.

12 and Under

Bryn Blowers leads with three and Wyatt Best of Florence has one.

Tagged fish turned in during the week were: Paul Soukup of Polson ($100), Larry Ashwell ($100), Justin Underwood of St. Ignatius ($100) and Mike Benson ($100 and $200). Weekend winners: Jack Kirkland ($200) and $100 each for Mark McMillin of Missoula, Todd Wood of Ronan, Sam Cusker and Mike Benson.