Mack Days nearly over, $10,000 lake trout still swimming

Anglers in the 2012 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event have turned in a total of 29,855 lake trout in the 27 days of the 34-day event. Beautiful blue skies and calm water has given the weather-weary anglers a break.

Leading the event is Don Beville of Lakeside with 1,173 and a 55.5 18-day average. Mike Benson of Lonepine is holding on to second with 1,018 and a 45.6 average.

Jason Mahlen of Kalispell is third with 969 and an average of 44.4, Craig Morigeau of Polson is fourth with 944 and an average of 45.1. Scott Bombard of Missoula is fifth with 851 and an average of 36.8, Steve Benson of Four Lakes Wash. is sixth with 839 and an average of 37.6.

Danny Smith of Hot Springs is seventh with 765 and an average of 36.6, Jerry Benson of Plains is eighth with 760 and an average of 33.5. Larry Schmill of Missoula is ninth with 649 and an average of 31, David McDaniel of Polson is tenth with 635 and an average of 33.3.

The top ten anglers will be placed by the 18-day average. The top ten anglers will receive sweatshirts and cash prizes beginning at $200-700. The top angler will receive a Mack Days jacket.

Tanner Murry of Columbia Falls is in first place in the 13-17 age category with 284, second is Connor Kowalski of Florence with 249.

Garrett Beville of Lakeside is third with 130, Kobe Cox of Charlo is fourth with 123, and Roger Guillory of Kalispell is fifth with 72.

The 12-and-under group is lead by Garett Vaughan of Charlo with 216, Danner Shima of Kalispell is second with 86. Dylan Hodgson of Kalispell is third with 58, Alex Moran of Arlee is fourth with 31, and Carson McDaniel of Polson is fifth with 24.

Tracy Powers of Missoula is in the lead for the women’s division with 301 and Susan Martin of Polson is close behind with 282. Nicole Peters of Missoula is third with 183, Deana Knipe of Polson is fourth with 132, and Debbie O’Hara of St. Ignatius is fifth with 49.

There is still a $10,000 tagged lake trout out there along with five $5,000, and 10 $1,000 tagged lake trout. There are over 4,000 lake trout with values from $100-500.

Catching $100 tagged lake trout over the ninth weekend were: Kobe Cox of Charlo, Jason Mahlen of Kalispell, Larry Schmill of Missoula, Craig Morigeau of Polson, Brandt Hammernick of Missoula, Ryan Shima of Kalispell, Jason Kowalski of Florence, Jerry Benson of Plains, Matt Guckenberg of Kalispell, Willie Murry of Columbia Falls, Marty Noyd of Missoula, Stan Ross of Kalispell, Connor Kowalski of Florence, Larry Ashwell of Missoula.

Don Beville of Lakeside, Garett Vaughan of Charlo, Danner Shima of Kalispell, and Dean Vaughan of Charlo each caught two $100 lake trout.

Brandt Hammernick and David McDaniel of Polson each turned in $200 tagged lake trout.

Food banks from Whitefish to Missoula and beyond are receiving fish from the event. These fish are being processed by a staff of hard working people including Gilbert Michel of Ronan, LeAnn Chavez of Pablo, Bruce Mastes of Elmo, Brian Hewankorn of Polson, Matt Nicolai of Polson, Elliott Bockman of Polson, Brittany Courville of Pablo, and Alex Finley of Pablo. They have processed 90 percent of the lake trout entered in the event.

The event will conclude on May 20 with a fish fry and awards beginning at 4 p.m. at the Blue Bay campground for the anglers, friends, and family. Awards will begin at 5 p.m.

Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Entries are taken until the last day of the event. Information about the event, bull trout identification, fishing tips, and more can be found at www.mackdays.com.