Anglers battle weather

Blustery fall weather is here, but many hardy anglers are still hitting the Flathead Lake, bringing in good numbers of lake trout entries in 2021 Fall Mack Days. The fishing event is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Mack Days offers up to $200,000 in cash and prizes.

Three $5,000 tagged lake trout, five $1,000 tagged lake trout plus over 9,000 fish tagged with values from $500 to $100. Another $1,000 tagged lake trout sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula for credit at their dealership that are out there. Reeling in tagged lake trout the sixth week were: $100 John Gauci of Florence (two entries), Mike Benson of Lonepine (three entries), Larry Ashwell of Missoula and Julie Perkins of Kalispell, who also turned in a $200 tagged lake trout.

Anglers are using all methods of fishing at this time. Trolling, jigging and casting work for some but not for others. Once an angler enters 11 lake trout they begin to accumulate bonus dollars. Go to http://www.mackdays.com to check out the chart.

Felix Gauci of Stevensville is first in the Top Angler category with 826, second is Benson with 656, third Larry Karper of Florence (608), fourth Scott Bombard of Missoula (478), fifth Jack Kirkland of Missoula (455), sixth Terry Krogstad of Kalispell (431), seventh Julie Perkins (429), eighth Sam Cusker of Bigfork (399), ninth Richard Kreis of Huson (396), and 10th Ashwell (387). Next week many of the anglers will begin their 18-day averages. Anglers will be placed by their best 18-day average at the conclusion of the event.

Among the women, Perkins is first, followed by Laurie Kreis of Huson (298), Kim Mack of Helena (95), Gina Schiff of Whitefish (59) and Debby Sacchi of Thompson Falls (48).

Karper is first in the 70 and over category, followed by Kirkland, Ashwell, Gaucie and Paul Grove of Wyoming, Illiois (101).

Blake Williams of Big Arm is first in the age 13-17 category with nine entries, Ashlin Peters of Polson has 2, and Kaden Blowers of Missoula has 1. Brynn Blowers of Missoula leads anglers age 12 and under with three lake trout and second is Wyatt Best of Bigfork with one.

Total fish count for the fall event is at 10,607. Gauci turned in a small Fall Mack Days continues until November 14.