Anglers have finished the half way mark of the twenty four day 2014 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Up to $125,000 in Cash and Prizes will be awarded on November 16^th at an awards ceremony and fish fry for family and friends. Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event. There is no charge to enter Mack Days Fishing Events. All it takes is one fish to be entered. The events are held and used as a tool to slowly reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake.

The $10,000 tagged lake trout (aka “The General”) is still available along with two $5,000, five $1,000 and over 5,000 with values from $100-$500. Richard Kreis of Huson and Scott Bombard of Missoula turned in $200 tagged fish. Turning in $100 tags were Susanne Albrecht-Polson, Richard Kreis, Glenn Hoffman-Missoula, Phil Meredith-Kalispel x 3, Tim Mooney-Missoula, Jeanee Mooney, Larry Ashwell-Missoula, Felix Gauci-Stevensville, Bill Swaney-Missoula, Kim McMillie-Ronan, Paul Soukup-Ronan, Roger Schiff-Kalispell, Mike Benson-Lonepine, John Gauci-Florence, Laurie Kreis-Huson, Terry Krogstad-Kalispell, and Scott Bombard.

John Malatare of Arlee stopped on his way to Blue Bay on Friday night to fish Saturday with Bill Swaney. He fished one hour-caught one fish-and it was tagged for $100.

Lady anglers are paced by Laurie Kreis of Huson with 189 entries followed by Jeanee Mooney of Missoula with 84, 3^rd is Julie Vacca of Florence with 47, 4^th Kim McMillie of Ronan with 43, and 5^th place is Susanne Albrecht of Polson with 37.

The 70 and Older Category has Larry Karper of Florence as the leader with 253, 2^nd-Glenn Hoffman-Missoula-82, 3^rd-Jim Hoover-Whitefish-64, 4^th-Susanne Albrecht-Polson-37, and 5^th-Bernd Albrecht-Polson-35.

Youth leaders in the 12 & Under group are Tripp Bick of Arlee with 14, Aaron Haynes of Arlee-13, Dusty Haynes of Arlee-6, Ayden Tripp-Stevensville-6, Elly Tripp-3, and Wyatt Weller of Kalispell-2.

The 13-17 Youth Category-has Myles Tripp of Stevensville with 24, Garett Vaughan of Charlo-8, and Kobe Cox of Charlo with 7.

Top ten anglers are led by Mike Benson of Lonepine in first with 493, 2^nd-Felix Gauci-Stevensville-416, 3^rd-Scott Bombard-Missoula-357, 4^th-Terry Krogstad-Kalispell-347, 5^th-David McDaniel-Polson-296, 6^th-Richard Kreis-Huson-288, 7^th-Craig Morigeau-Polson-284, 8^th-Phil Meredith-Kalispell-280, 9^th-Larry Karper-Florence-253, and 10^th-John Gauci-Florence-193. Top ten anglers will reach the fifteen day mark at the end of the fifth weekend. They will then have to best their lowest day to receive tickets for the lottery drawing and will ultimately be placed by their best fifteen day average.

Anglers are reporting that casting towards shore is picking up and we have received a few entries from shore anglers the past weekend.Check out the website www.mackdays.com for information, fish ID, entry forms, rules, etc. Telephone 406-883-2888 ex. 7294 or 406-270-3386 for information.

(Report by Cynthia Bras-Benson; Feature photo via mackdays.com)