There are six weeks remaining in the 2021 Mack Days Fishing Event on Flathead Lake that is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Up to $200,000 in Cash and Prizes is available to many of the hard-working anglers who have caught at least one or more lake trout. Catching one lake trout and entering it qualifies you for a chance in the lottery drawing that begins at $50 and goes to $2,000.
“Freddy Mack” the $10,000 tagged lake trout is still in hiding out in Flathead Lake. No one has had the good fortune to find him, yet! He seems to have taken cover out there in the deep somewhere. There are three $5,000, five $1,000, and over 9000 tagged lake trout with values from $100-$500 that have been released throughout the lake. Catching tagged lake trout the past week were: $100-Sandy Lanch, Larry Ashwell of Missoula, Felix Gauci of Stevensville, Ken Rickert of Thompson Falls, Roger Schiff and Gina Schiff each $100-Whitefish, Julie Perkins X 2-Kalispell. Catching $200 tagged lake trout were Dan Deutchman and Dan Seman of Missoula.
The lake trout anglers are led by Felix Gauci of Stevensville with a total of 572 lake trout entries. Anglers are working hard to bring in their catch. Weather has been sunny and warm with some wind but good fishing weather. Going out before light and coming in at dark makes for a long exhausting day. They love to fish! Second place is held by Larry Karper of Florence with 409, 3rd Sam Cusker of Bigfork with 366, 4th Mike Benson of Lonepine with 311, 5th Jack Kirkland of Missoula with 292, 6th Richard Kreis of Huson with 289, 7th Scott Bombard of Missoula with 287, 8th Larry Ashwell-Missoula with 248, 9th Laurie Kreis of Huson with 211, and 10th John Gauci of Florence with 197.
Laurie Kreis is first in the Ladies with 211, 2nd Julie Perkins of Kalispell with190, 3rd Kim Mack of Missoula with 75, 4th Debbie Sacchi of Thompson Falls with 49, and 5th Gina Schiff of Whitefish with 43.
The 70 and Over group is led by Larry Karper with 409, Jack Kirkland is 2nd with 292, Larry Ashwell is 3rd with 248, John Gauci is 4th with 197, and Paul Grove of Wyoming, IL. Is 5th with 101. Brynn Blowers of Missoula turned in three to led the 12 & Under. Wyatt Best of Florence is 2nd with one lake trout entry. Kaden Blowers has one entry in the 13-17 group.
Total catch for the event is at 6,743. The weekend catch was 1,604. Friday’s total was 559, Saturday 555, and Sunday 490.
There have been no large lake trout entry over 36” and 20 lbs.
Smallest lake trout entries are Brad Ivanoff of Arlee with a 191mm (7.5”) and Scott Bombard of Missoula with a 202mm lake trout (8”).
Friday October 1st was the first of the three Bucket of Fish days. Winning with his 4 largest lake trout under 30” was Jens Gran of Polson with a weight of 24.7 lbs. for 10 pts. In 2nd place was Rick Skates of Big Arm with a bucket weight of 23.95 lbs. for 8 pts. In 3rd place was Roger and Gina Schiff of Whitefish with 20.7 lbs. for 6 pts. In 4th place was Sam Sacchi Sacchi of Thompson Falls with 16.25 lbs. for 4 pts, and in 5th place was Jack Kirkland of Missoula with a bucket weight of 15.9 lbs. for 2 pts. The second Bucket Day is Saturday October 16th. Third day is November 7th. Heaviest weight wins $200. Points are totaled at the end of the three days and overall awards are given.
Weekend drawing winners: $200-Sam Sacchi $100 Jeremy Williams-Big Arm, Larry Ashwell, Richard Kreis, and Sam Cusker.
There are sixty-four different lottery drawings plus other categories that give you a chance to be successful and earn awards. Entering the event is free and entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event. Go to www.mackdays.com for information and to see the list of statistics, or call (406) 270-3386. There is plenty of time left to get involved in the Fishing Event!
Tight lines everyone!
