"Chase" continues to elude Mack Days anglers

Spring Mack Days, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, is moving into the fourth weekend of fishing excitement.

“Chase,” the $10,000 tagged lake trout has evaded anglers so far. It is said he is the most sought-after lake trout in the Flathead Lake. 

Larry Ashwell thought he had him on Sunday. He caught a big fish that ran his line out a couple of times before Ashwell brought him close to the boat. Right before he came up the third time, the lunker took off again and broke off the line.

Disappointed, Larry kept fishing and caught another large lake trout. As he reached out to bring him in after another struggle, he noticed his lost lure hanging off the mouth of the fish. He thought the fish surely must have a tag in it – you don’t just get caught twice in a row and not be “the one”. It wasn’t meant to be – no fin clip, no tag – just a lucky lure to put back in the treasure box.

Michael Stevenson of Kalispell turned in a $100 tagged lake trout and Jerry Benson of Plains reeled in one worth $200.

Total catch so far is 10,543, with a Monday-Thursday total of 1,511 and Friday-Sunday catch of 9,032.

Spring weather with winds, snow and rain have given anglers a few rough days on the water but they keep on fishing. Each fish in their counts after the tenth qualifies for bonus dollars; they also earn a chance to win in categories and lottery drawings. Check out the lottery prizes, bonus amounts, fish ID and safety tips at www.mackdays.com. 

One third of the way through the nine-week long event, Kolton Turner of Kalispell is still leading the Top 20 category with 733, including a haul of 49 lake trout Friday, 23 Saturday, and 70 on Sunday. Bob Turner is second with 651 and coming on strong in third is Patrick Casey of Townsend, who caught 100 fish all three days. Devon Bukowski of Kalispell is fourth with 440; and Larry Ashwell of Missoula is fifth with 436.

Mason Persico of Missoula is first in 12 & Under with 25, followed by Lincoln Gauci of Florence with 24, Carter Lindsay of Pablo with 19, Wyatt Best of Florence with 9, and Aiden Brewer of Stevensville and Eli Dutton of Kalispell each with 2.

Brodie Smith of Kalispell has 149 in the 13-17 Category.

Julie Perkins is first in the Ladies with 351, followed by Angie Morrow with 171, Shaunda Albert of Ronan with 62, Laurie Kreis of Huson with 54, and Connie Jones of Kalispell with 7.

The 70 & Over leader is Larry Ashwell with 436; he’s followed by Terry Krogstad with 417, Jerry Benson with 389, Jack Kirkland with 342 and Mike Benson with 275.

Weekend drawing winners were: Jeff Hale of Lolo, $200; and Bill Sorg of Kalispell and Laurie Kreis of Huson, $100.

Come and enjoy fishing on Flathead Lake-enter on the website or enter at the end of the day.

This nine-week event continues until Saturday, May 9. Entries will be taken until the last day of the event. Lottery drawings begin at $200 and go to $2,000. Fish pickup times and locations are listed on the website, www.mackdays.com.

This is an effort to reduce non-native lake trout and increase the important native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations in the lake.