2016 Fall Mack Days Update: Week 6
By angelamontana

Posted: October 31, 2016

Terry Krogstad of Kalispell has the highest total of all lake trout anglers in the 2016 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Two weekends are left in the eight week long competition. Terry has a total of 1,005 entries and a 15 day average of 67.0. Lake trout anglers of all ages are competing for Up to $150,000 in Cash and Prizes during the 45 day lake trout fishing event. Mack Days are used to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake and increase bull trout and westslope cutthroat numbers which were once very abundant in the lake and are a part of the heritage of the tribe and the state. A total of 12,177 lake trout have been entered during the event so far. Friday’s total was 553, Saturday-631, and Sunday-412. Mike Benson of Lonepine is 2nd with 976 and a 58.6 average, 3rd Felix Gauci of Stevensville with 628 and 40.3, 4th Larry Karper of Florence with 480 and 31.8, 5th Sam Cusker of Whitefish 477 and 31.6, Scott Bombard of Missoula is 6th with 437 and 27.7, 7th Richard Kreis of Huson 389 and 23.8, Larry Ashwell of Missoula is 8th with 358 and 23.87, Bob Stewart of Kalispell is 9th 317 and 21.1 (13 days), tied for tenth is Danny Smith and Greg Karlson of Hot Springs with 255 and 15.4 average. Morgan Amdahl of Kalispell has a total of 238 and average of 15.8. Top ten anglers are placed by the 15 day average and placing can and will change based on it.

Trolling, casting, and jigging are all methods being used to catch the lake trout. Shore angling has picked up the past week with more numbers being caught from the docks and shore. Favorite bait to use from shore is link sausage. Favorite color of lure to use is a chartreuse green-glow lure or jig. If they don’t bite on one color try another in a glow color. One tagged fish was turned in from shore during the weekend.

Leading lady angler is Laurie Kreis of Huson with 169, Brandy Hilde of Whitefish follows with 107, Jeanee Mooney of Missoula-94, Gina Schiff of Whitefish-56, and Deb Amdahl of Kalispell-53.

Dawson Adley of Pablo took over the lead in the 12 and Under category with 4 entries caught from shore. Hayden Hall and Dalton Kluesner each have one entry.

70 and Over-Larry Karper of Florence continues his lead with 480. He is followed by Glenn Hoffman of Missoula with 141, Bob Christensen of Missoula-131, Leonard Lewis of Missoula 98, and Jerry Luderman of Kalispell 31.

Catching $100 tagged lake trout were John Malatare of Arlee X 2, Tony Incashola of St. Ignatius, Randy Hovet of Charlo, Tim Mooney of Missoula, Jeanee Mooney, Scott Bombard X 2. Richard Kreis turned in two $200 tags and Mike Benson also turned in a $200 tagged lake trout. The $10,000, 3-$5,000, and 5-$1,000 tagged lake trout are still out there along with over 6,000 with values from $100-$500.

Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event. Go to www.mackdays.com for more information.

The last day of the Bucket Competition is Sunday November 6th. Team of Richard and Laurie Kreis is leading with 20 points. Team McPherson has 14 points, Schiff has 8 points, Bombard has 6 points, Mooney and Christensen each have 4, and Benson and Garrett each have 2 points.

Week 6 Drawing Winners were 1st Richard Kreis and 2nd Scott Bombard.

2016 Fall Mack Days continues until November 13th and ends with a fish fry that begins at 3:00 in the campground area and the awards that will begin at 4:00 in the lake front building.

Be safe and watch the weather conditions. We remind everyone to check their PFD’s especially if they are the inflatable type that may be kept in the boat. Take them out and check to make sure they are still dry and usable. Some reports are that the moisture that has recently been accumulating is getting into areas you may think are dry and it may affect your inflatable PFD.

(Report via Cynthia Bras)
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