The 2021 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes began with anglers having good luck landing fish in their boats on Friday. The weather cooperated after a morning breeze and many had some good numbers of lake trout to turn in at the end of the day.
Felix Gauci of Stevensville had an awesome day and turned in the first 100 perfect fish day of the event. Fish total on Friday was nine hundred fifty-five. Saturday the wicked winds began to blow and anglers were looking for protection, many reported huge rollers out on the water. The total for Saturday was three hundred seventy lake trout entries. Sunday the winds and rain came and continued all day long. It was a brutal day on the water for the anglers but many toughed it out turning in a total of six hundred sixteen lake trout entries. Anglers agree that they can handle the rain but the wind is something they have more difficulty dealing with.
Up to $200,000 in Cash and Prizes that will be awarded at the conclusion of the event on Sunday November 14th. There are many ways to win with several different categories to qualify in. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes use these fishing events as a management tool to reduce non- native lake trout in Flathead Lake in efforts to increase the populations of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in the lake.
The un-named $10,000 lake trout is waiting for a lucky angler to drop down their lure. Next week we will have him/her named-drawing from a list of names anglers have submitted. There are an additional 3-$5,000, and 5-$1,000 tagged lake trout plus over 9,000 with values from $100-$500. Also, added to the event is year is a $1,000 tagged fish sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula.
Richard Kreis of Huson turned in the first tagged 2021 Fall lake trout on Thursday with a $100 value. Felix Gauci also turned in a $100 tagged lake trout. Saturday Jim Schriber of Bigfork caught a $100 tagged lake trout and Mike Benson of Lonepine turned in a $500 tagged lake trout at the end of the day.
Laurie Kreis of Huson, is off to a good start, leading the ladies with 109 lake trout entries. Kim Mack of Helena is in 2nd place with 49 lake trout entries. In 3rd place is Julie Perkins of Kalispell with 34 lake trout entries. In 4th place is Debby Sacchi of Thompson Falls with 23 lake trout entries, and in 5th place is Gina Schiff of Whitefish with 20 lake trout entries.
The 70 & Over Category leader is Larry Karper of Florence with 135 entries. He is followed by Jack Kirkland of Kalispell with 106 entries, 3rd Larry Ashwell of Missoula with 83 entries, 4th John Gauci of Florence with 67 entries, and in 5th place is Paul Grove of Wyoming, with 36 lake trout entries.
The Top Ten Anglers are Felix Gauci, in first place with 185 entries. Mike Benson is in 2nd place with 171 entries. Sam Cusker of Bigfork is in 3rd place, with 154 entries. Richard Kreis of Huson is in 4th place with 150 entries. In 5th place is Larry Karper, with 135 entries. In 6th place is Laurie Kreis, with 109 entries. In 7th place is Jack Kirkland of Missoula, with 106 entries. In 8th place is Scott Bombard of Missoula, with 101 entries. In 9th place is Larry Ashwell, with 83 entries, and in 10th place is Mark McMillin, with 79 lake trout entries.
Weekend winners were: Kim Mack-$200, Richard Kreis-$100, John Gauci-$100, Sam Cusker-$100, and Roger Schiff of Whitefish-$100.
One smallest lake trout entry has been turned in. Mark McMillin turned in a 221mm entry (8 ¾”). No large lake trout entries have been turned in so far.
The 2021 Fall Mack Days event is nine weeks long ending on November 14th. Fish every day of the week. Different prizes for Monday to Thursday and Friday to Sunday. Bonus amounts begin for anglers when they reach their eleventh fish. Bonus totals go up as the fish total goes up. You can fish every day or one day. Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes encourage anglers to stay safe-have your PFD’s on board, keep cell phones dry, let someone know your plans, follow all fishing regulations, know your fish ID, and be weather wise on the water. Come out and join the Mack Days anglers who are making a difference for native fish, helping to restore their populations for future generations.
For more information go to www.mackdays.com and click on the events tab at the top of the page or call (406) 270-3386.
Tight lines everyone!
-cskt-
