Fall Mack Days ends with fish fry, awards

BLUE BAY - 2006 Fall Mack Days on Flathead Lake concluded Oct. 21 with a fish fry and awards at the Blue Bay Campground Pavilion.

Mack Day events are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as part of the ten-year Fisheries Co-Management Plan between the tribes and the State of Montana.

The goal of the plan is to restore a balance to the native fishery of Flathead Lake by reducing the number of non-native lake trout under 30 inches in length. Lake trout prey on native species such as bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.

A total of 215 anglers entered the Fall Mack Days event, and some 4,370 lake trout were harvested and donated to area food banks.

"The participation in the event was outstanding," said Cindy Bras Benson, Tribal Fisheries Specialist. "The number of lake trout harvested shows the skill and expertise of a great group of anglers."

More than $15,000 in cash and prizes were given to anglers in a lottery style drawing during the awards event.

Top angler award winner for $250 was Dean Vaughn of Charlo with 192 lake trout entered. Second in the event was angler Donald Schaeffer of Columbia Falls with 189 lake trout entered. Paul Haines of Ronan came in third with 171 fish entered. Following in the top ten were Bob Parot-Polson-with 168, Kevin Sparks-Thompson Falls-156, Sid Bitney, Kalispell-149, Stacy Ross-Kalispell-136, Marty Noyd-Missoula-133, Bernd Albrecht-Polson-121, and Rodney Belcher-Kalispell-118.

Youth angler Baylan Connolly of Kalispell turned in 44 lake trout, Keegan Noyd-Missoula-43, Daniel Hunt-St. Ignatius-15, and Ali and Bridger Gould-Kalispell-14 each, Austin Moran-Arlee-7, Stephen Naethe-Polson-6, Frank Swan and Bryson Connolly-5 each, Mitchell and Emma Decker-Corvallis, Joey Zanni-Lakeside-2 each, and turning in one fish each were Rylee and Ethan Kobos-Kalispell, Mikayla Lebert-Kalispell, Courtney and Garett Vaughn-Charlo, Dylan Cooper, Jaiden and Parker Toth, Caleb Fredenberg, Madison Foust, Tyler Iverson, and Isla Olson.

The first angler in the lottery drawing and winning a cash prize of $3,000 was Jim Miller of Missoula, second and winning $2,000 was angler and long-time participant Marty Noyd of Missoula, the $1,000 cash prize went to repeat large fish winner Stan Ross of Kalispell, and Dave Sparks of Thompson Falls was the lucky angler winning of $750.

Fifth place winning check of $500 went to lady angler Regina Parot of Polson, sixth place winnings of $250 went to Lon Levitt of Kalispell, and winning $100 were Bernd Albrecht-Polson, Conn Hodgson-Kalispell, Clyde Poole-Rigby, Idaho, Stacy Ross-Kalispell, Rodney Belcher-Kalispell, William Barrett-Polson, Shawn Madsen-Polson, Paul Lebert-Kalispell, Jim Auger-Missoula, Dan Olsen-Kooskia, Idaho, Donald Schaeffer-Columbia Falls.

Weekend drawings of $500 each went to Rick Pederson-Hamilton, Kevin Sparks-Thompson Falls, and Lon Levitt-Kalispell.

Largest lake trout winner Rick Skates receives a check for $500.

Smallest lake trout winners were Richard Zimmer of Pablo and Marty Noyd of Missoula, each winning $250.

Glee Bratt of Kalispell won $100 for his early entry. CaptainÕs prize winner was Jeff Gould of Kalispell.

The "Over 100 Club" winner of $500 went to Mike Polkwoske of West Yellowstone, $300 to Marty Noyd of Missoula, and $150 went to Don Schaeffer of Columbia Falls.

Door prize drawing of $250 goes to Richard Howe-Kalispell and $100 to Don Toth of Dayton.

Youth angler Baylan Connolly of Kalispell receive a $150 savings bond for his entry of 44 lake trout. Keegan Noyd of Missoula wins second with 43 lake trout.

Bob Ward and Sons of Missoula donated a $50 gift certificate won by Jerry Benson of Plains. Winners of $10 gift certificates donated by SportsmanÕs Warehouse were Marian Cooper, Chris Polkwoske, Mike Benson, Bill Swaney, Amber Wock, Paul Haines, Lou Moore, Richard Howe, Sid Bitney, Dick Zimmer, Dean Vaughn, Sandy Koness, Jerry Willet, and Rod Briske.

The Mack Days committee thanks each and every angler who participated and contributed to the event. The committee also thanks Bob Ward and Sons and SportsmanÕs Warehouse for their donations and help.

Additionally, the committee thanks the students of the Spring Creek School at the Camas Prairie Ranch who helped organize the fish fry and cook the lake trout, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for sponsoring the events, and the fisheries managers and biologists for their dedication to bringing a balance to the native fishery of Flathead Lake.