Stevensville's Gauci extends Fall Mack Days lead
Felix Gauci of Stevensville has a solid lead with 826 lake trout entries in the Top Angler Category six weeks into the 2021 Fall Mack Days. Second-place angler Mike Benson of Lonepine trails Gauci by 170 entries.
The event’s total fish count is at 10,607. The Monday-Thursday total is 1,772, and the Friday-Sunday count at 8,835. Last weekend was a bit slower with 414 Friday, and 344 each Saturday and Sunday.
Three tagged lake trout worth $5,000 remain, along with five worth $1,000 and more than 9,000 with values from $100 to $500. There is another $1,000 tagged lake trout sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula for credit at their dealership.
Reeling in tagged lake trout the sixth week were: John Gauci of Florence (2-$100), Mike Benson (3-$100), Larry Ashwell of Missoula ($100) and Julie Perkins of Kalispell ($100 and $200). Terry Krogstad and Julie Perkins turned in the $10,000 tagged fish last month.
John Gauci turned in a small lake trout at 157 millimeters (6.5 inches) to take the lead over Larry Ashwell’s 158-millimeter entry. Both will qualify for small lake trout prizes of $250 if their lake trout remain the smallest.
The largest lake trout is still Big Arm angler Rick Skates’ fish at 23.6 pounds and 40.5 inches. The prize of $500 for largest lake trout is sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula.
Weekend drawing winners were: $200 Larry Karper; $100 Mike Benson (times three!) and $100 to Bill Lanch of Missoula. Other winners included: Felix Gauci, Mack Days Sweatshirt; Mike Benson, Siberian hat; and Bill Lanch, Siberian cup.
Top Angler leaders
Felix Gauci of Stevensville (826); Mike Benson (656); Larry Karper of Florence (608); Scott Bombard of Missoula (478); Jack Kirkland of Missoula (455); Terry Krogstad of Kalispell (431); Julie Perkins of Kalispell (429); Sam Cusker of Bigfork (399); Richard Kreis of Huson (396); and Larry Ashwell of Missoula (387). Next week many of the anglers will begin their 18-day averages. Anglers will be placed by their best 18-day average at the conclusion of the event.
Ladies
Julie Perkins (429); Laurie Kreis of Huson (298); Kim Mack of Helena (95); Gina Schiff of Whitefish (59); and Debby Sacchi of Thompson Falls (48).
70 and Over
Larry Karper (608); Jack Kirkland of Missoula (455); Larry Ashwell of Missoula (387); John Gauci (373); and Paul Grove of Wyoming, Ill. (101).
13-17
Blake Williams of Big Arm (9); Ashlin Peters of Polson (2); and Kaden Blowers of Missoula (1).
12 and Under
Brynn Blowers of Missoula (3); and Wyatt Best of Bigfork (1).
Once an angler enters 11 lake trout they begin to accumulate bonus dollars. Visit www.mackdays.com to check out the chart. There are drop down boxes for rules, entry, fish ID, etc. Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event.
Up to $200,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the event on Nov. 14.
The events, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, are used as a tool to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake to increase the populations of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.