Spring Mack Days: Anglers battle ice

Dozens of fishing lines were dropped to the bottom of Flathead Lake by anglers who were unafraid of the cold waters as the 2023 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event got underway March 16.

Mack Days: Perfect weather for opening weekend

The 2024 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, began Thursday, March 14, and wrap up May 11.

Masters of deceit

Mimi and Irv Milheim, Dayton

Community calendar

Science inspires art, new show

POLSON - If you had stopped by Polson's Sandpiper Art Gallery and Gift Shop last Wednesday afternoon, you never would have believed there was an opening reception slated to take place Friday evening. With bare walls and empty shelves, the gallery was cleaned out from head to toe last weekend because of the possible damage that Main Street construction could have caused to the fragile work.

Polson businesses burglarized

Three Polson businesses reported break-ins recently: Betty’s Diner and the adjacent Stageline Pizza, as well as Mission Mountain Natural Foods on Main Street, which was broken into twice in four days.

Mack Days update, Week 3

The bucket almost wasn’t big enough for the four fish entries from Bob Christensen of Missoula. Friday, March 28 was the first of the three day competition for the largest Bucket of Fish during 2014 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake. Anglers mark or pick out what they believe is their four heaviest fish to be put in a bucket and a weight taken. Coming in at 28 pounds, 13 ounces, Christensen easily won the $200 prize and 10 points. The bucket lake trout have to measure in under 30 inches to qualify — that is the requirement for any of the lake trout that get entered for tickets unless it is an entry for the largest fish which has to measure over 36 inches and weigh over 24lbs ?— there have been no large fish entries. One lake trout of the winning bucket fish measured in at 29 and three-quarters inches — good day to catch one of that size.

View from the Library: Happy National Library Week

National Library Week is April 4-10 this year.

Hitswithastick lives, teaches traditional Bitterroot Salish ways

“The Art of Primitive Survival: Native American Tools and Techniques,” a movie made by Buck and Rose Hitswithastick of Arlee with support from the Montana Council of the Arts, debuted at the Johnny Arlee/Vic Charlo Theater on the Salish Kootenai College campus on April 25. The movie stresses keeping tradition, self sufficiency, living with nature, and Native arts and tradition.

Spring Mack Days nearing end

With 10 days left in the 2017 Spring Mack Days fishing derby, Danner Shima of Kalispell has been unstoppable and is leading the top ten anglers with 1,292 entries. In second place is Ryan Shima with 1,135. Jason Mahlen of Kalispell has moved up to third place and has a total of 1,107. Mike Benson of Lonepine is fourth with 1,065. Steven Benson of Four Lakes, Wash., is fifth with 1,031. Felix Gauci of Stevensville is sixth with 930. Scott Bombard of Missoula is sixth with 886. In eighth is David McDaniel of Polson with 876. Sam Cusker of Whitefish is ninth with 867. Terry Krogstad of Kalispell is 10th with 758 fish. Placing is done by the best 18-day average on the last day of the event. With just the five days of the weekend competition left these anglers will be fishing as hard as they can to keep their positions or to move up in the standings.

Thanks for checking us out

Since you're reading this editorial, we know you've noticed a big change at the Leader. It was something we’ve been waiting for for a long time: The launch of our brand-new Web site.

Lonepine angler makes a move for Mack Days' top spot

So far, anglers have turned in a total catch of 11,615 lake trout entries.

Standing Arrow Powwow draws dancers, drums, and spectators

Kootenai War Chief Mike Kenmille led the Veteran Warrior Society flag bearers as the Ksanka Standing Arrow Powwow opened with the 7 p.m. grand entry on July 14.

From your legislators - Week Four

Judge remarks man lucky to be alive

During a change of plea hearing Wednesday, a judge shared his surprise that the defendant lived through the ordeal for which he accumulated three charges.

CSKT announces start of spring Mack Days

The 2014 Spring Mack Days will begin March 14. We are looking forward to a great spring event. Go to the www.mackdays.com website for information-fishing tips, entry forms, videos, boat safety, weather information, fish ID, etc., and updates during the event.

Among Other Things: 'Twas a great couple weeks for the Irish

The past couple weeks were great ones for the Irish, part Irish and wannabe Irish among us.

Reflection on Charlo students' Skills USA championship

When students compete in July, there’s not much of a welcoming committee at school when they get back home. But the honor brought to Charlo High School by the Skills USA team’s national gold medal shines brightly nonetheless.

Spring Mack Days begins March 13

Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake begin next Thursday, March 13, and continued through May 10 with nine weeks of lake trout fishing on one of the northwest’s most beautiful freshwater lakes.

Stevensville's Gauci builds on Mack Days lead

Anglers turned in 804 entries Friday, 628 Saturday and 594 Sunday.