Fall Mack Days: Anglers weather rain during week six
Cold and wet, intrepid angler Jerry Benson of Plains turned in his catch at the end of a long rainy day in 2022. Benson was named Top Angler in this year's Fall Mack Days, despite stiff competition from his brother, Mike. (Photo courtesy of CSKT)
Lots of rain fell from the dark cloudy skies Friday and Saturday during the sixth weekend of 2022 Fall Mack Days. Some rain fell straight from the sky and some hit anglers horizontally due to lake winds making for some cold, wet, rough fishing. The rain disappeared Sunday and cooler temperatures set in.
The fall fishing event, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, lasts until Nov. 13. Anglers may enter at any time until the last day of the event, which offers up to $200,000 in cash and prizes. Mac Days is a management tool aimed at recovering native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations in Flathead Lake.
A total of 11,253 lake trout entries have been turned in, compared to 10,607 at this time. The Friday to Sunday total is at 9,161 and Monday to Thursday is 2,092.
Bella, the female lake trout tagged for $10,000, is still out in the lake along with three $5,000 and six $1,000 lake trout. There are also over 9,000 fish with values from $100 to $500. A $500 prize goes to the angler posting the largest lake trout over 36” and 20 pounds. The leader in that category is Carey Hauser of Kalispell with a 36.5” lake trout that weighed in at 21 pounds. The two smallest lake trout leaders are Mark McMillin with a 155mm (6.2”) fish and Larry Ashwell with a 157mm laker.
Richard Kreis of Huson turned in two tagged lake trout, winning at total of $300. Larry Ashwell of Missoula turned in a $100 tag, and Joshua Wisniewski of Missoula had a $100 winner.
Ashwell continues his lead in the Top Ten Angler category with a total of 778 lake trout entries. Second place is Mike Benson of Lonepine; Felix Gauci of Stevensville remains in third followed by Terry Krogstad of Kalispell and Jerry Benson of Plains. Ashwell also leads the 70 and Over crowd, followed by Benson, Gauci, Larry Karper, and Jack Kirkland.
Lady angler Julie Perkins leads the women with 398; sitting in second is Laurie Kreis of Huson with 233; she’s followed by Kim Mack of Helena, Janet Myers of Riverton, Wyo., and Debbi Sacci of Thompson Falls.
Lottery drawings beginning at $2,000 will be held at the conclusion of the event. Every angler qualifies with each lake trout entry; the more lake trout entries the better their chances at winning.
Three weekends are left in the event. Go to www.mackdays.com for all of the information and an entry form or call 406-270-3386.
Bonus dollars start with your eleventh lake trout entry and go up as your total goes up. The chart for the bonus amounts is on the website’s rules page.
Be safe out on the water-take proper safety precautions-use your PFD’s (vest, jackets, etc.) don’t be without them-be aware of the weather at all times.
Tight lines everyone!