Ol' Man Winter makes it tough on Mack Days anglers

Week 5 of Spring Mack Days was a grueling endeavor, thanks to Ol' Man Winter, who just isn’t ready to give up just yet. Bitter winds along with cold temps kept most anglers home, walking the shore, sitting in vehicles hoping for a let up in wind, or in campers playing cribbage. Just four lake trout were turned in Monday through Thursday.

Kolton Turner of Kalispell continues to lead the Top Ten category with 836 entries, followed by Jason Mahlen of Kalispell (788) and Bob Turner of Kalispell (661).

Friday fishing was the best of the entire week, with higher temperatures and less wind. The day saw 615 entries. The wind picked up again Saturday, with many anglers going out but having to turn around and come back in with iced-up anchor systems and frozen reels.

“The boat looked like one from a show on TV from up north with the boat ice covered all over,” one angler reported.

Ladies category leader Julie Perkins of Kalispell caught a large lake trout Friday. It was the only fish that cold, windy day for her, and it gave her a good fight in really, really, rough waters. After finally getting it in the boat, she measured it and it was over 36 inches but did not weigh enough to place as the largest lake trout. She released the big fish back into the waters.

North-end anglers were able to find areas to spend time fishing without being tossed around too much — still rough but doable. Batteries on the anchor systems fade fast when it is rough on the water, and once your batteries can’t hold the boat it is time to come in. A total of 247 lake trout were brought in Saturday.

Sunday the south end of the lake was fishable and the north end was hampered by wind and waves. Sunday’s total came to 288 entries.

Up to $225,000 will be awarded at the conclusion of the event to anglers of all ages and experience levels. The $10,000 tagged lake trout, “The Captain,” is still waiting for a lucky angler. There also are three worth $5,000, five worth $1,000 (plus a $1,000 tagged lake trout sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine) and more than 9,000 worth $100 to $500.

The high dollar lake trout from past events get revalued to $100-$500 values and new high dollar tags are implanted in new fish. Data about the tagged fish is used by biologists. They are measured when tagged and when they are turned in. They move around and locations when tagged and when caught are also used. There were no tagged fish turned in over the week.

Leaderboard

Overall: Kolton Turner, Kalispell, 836 entries; Jason Mahlen, 788; Bob Turner, Kalispell, 661; Steven Benson of Spokane Valley, Wash., 413; Jerry Benson of Plains, 362; Larry Karper of Florence, 357; Mike Benson of Lonepine, 349; Clint Speer of Kalispell, 348; Sam Cusker of Bigfork, 330; and Travis Banyai of Lakeside, 307.

Ladies: Julie Perkins of Kalispell, 126 entries; Connie Jones of Kalispell, 64; Rebecca Spring (Alberton), 18; Ia Thao (Missoula), 11; Amanda Hoback, Arlee, five.

Age 13-17: Brodie Smith of Kalispell, 29 entries; Matt Guckenberg Jr. of Kalispell, 12; Karson Cox of Charlo, six; Michael Palmer (Kalispell), two.

12 and Under: Wyatt Best, Florence, six entries; Gage Spring, Alberton, four; Tripp Bick, Arlee, two; Martin Phan, Kalispell, two; Allydia Yang, Missoula, two; Ava Yang, Missoula, two.

Smallest lake trout: Kolton Turner (6.5 inches); Mike Benson (6.7 inches).

Largest lake trout: Jade Smith (41 inches, 25.25 pounds). The award for the largest lake trout is $500 and is sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula.

The second of three Bucket of Fish Days was Saturday. The Demmons boat of Missoula, with Chris and Jennifer, along with Clint Arneson of Lolo and Chad Berg of Stevensville, turned in a 25.6-pound bucket of four lake trout under 30 inches. Bob and Kolton Turner were second with 16.9, followed by Clint Speer and Gene Corne (11.25), Steve Benson (9.2) and Andy Reed (8.85). The final Bucket Day is Sunday, May 1.

The weekend drawing winners from Week 5 were Scott Bombard for $200, and $100 each to Gene Corne, Jason Mahlen, Steven Benson and Jack Kirkland.

There are a lot of ways to win in the event. Visit www.mackdays.com for more information. Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event. Every fish counts and is entered in the lottery drawings. You can fish as many times as you like, Monday through Sunday.

The 40th Mack Days Event is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Mack Days began in 2002 and are used as a tool to reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake to increase numbers of the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat. Flathead Lake was historically a bull trout and westslope trout fishery. Now those fish populations are a small portion of where they once were.