Kalispell angler posts sixth Spring Mack Days title
CSKT Fisheries | Lake County Leader | UPDATED 6 months AGO
Recent weather conditions have been favorable for anglers, who caught 37,975 lake trout during this year's Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Spring Mack Days wrapped up Saturday, May 9, with a total of 37,975 lake trout entries. The total for the ninth weekend came to 2,030.
This event came in fourth among spring Mack Days events. It was a success due to the effort and hard work of all of the anglers.
Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
Kolton Turner of Kalispell added his sixth win to his total of first place finishes in the spring events. He ended with 2,030 entries and a 94.22 18-day average. Second place went to Bob Turner of Kalispell with 1,798 and 85.61 average; followed by Patrick Casey of Townsend, 1,369 and 71.0; Jerry Benson of Plains, 1,415 and 65.22; and Devon Bukowski of Kalispell, 1,259 and 62.78.
Shaunda Albert of Pablo moved into first in the Ladies category with 620. Angie Morrow of Kalispell was second with 369 and Laurie Kreis of Huson was third with 101.
Mason Persico was first in the 12 & Under with 229; he was trailed by Lincoln Gauci of Florence with 91, and Carter Lindsay of Pablo with 41. Wyatt Best of Florence came in first with 18 in the 13-17 group, followed by Ellis Stammers of Charlo with 6, and Charles Hodgenson of Polson with 2.
Over 70 winners were Marty Herak of Polson with 524 and Richard Kreis of Huson with 504.
Patrick Casey won both of the small fish awards with lake trout that measured 160mm and 168mm.
Large lake trout winners, with catches over 36 inches as documented by picture with measurement, and released alive, were Will Larson of Missoula with a 38-incher; Scott Hale of Lolo with a 39-inch lunker; Matt Brazda of Missoula, 36.2 inches; Jack Kirkland of Lolo with two, measuring 36.25 and 38 inches; Bob Stewart of Kalispell, 36.5; Tristan Persico of Missoula, also with two, 36.5 and 36.75 inches; and Richard Kreis of Huson with the longest at 42 inches.
Spirit of the Event winners, who received custom fillet knives made by Bob Crowder of Thompson Falls, are David Kelch of Great Falls and Tristan Persico.
Fall Mack Days will begin Sept. 10 and end Nov. 8. To see a list of winners and awards along with fall updates go to www.mackdays.com. The stats page will have the list of winners.