2009 Fall Mack Days 2nd Week results are in

Catching the smallest fish just might be something to write home about: Smallest fish entry is held by Bill Violette of Missoula with a 170mm entry on Sunday. Second place is held by Hammernicks 211mm entry. (courtesy photo)

POLSON — A total of 1,833 lake trout have been turned in the first two weekends of the 2009 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Record low temperatures and wind continue to hound the hearty anglers braving the tough fishing conditions. Over $47,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the end of the seven-week event. All it takes is one fish to win in the lottery drawing and entries are taken until the last day of the event. Anglers entered in the event total 415.

Two anglers turned in perfect 50’s for two days. Brandt Hammernick of Missoula and Stephen Naethe each had two perfect days. Stephen led Brandt by one Friday and Saturday and increased the lead by 50 with Hammernick missing Sunday’s fishing. Stephen leads with 193 entries, Brandt Hammernick of Missoula came in 2nd with 142, Paul Lebert of Kalispell came in 3rd with 125, Roger Dilts of Polson came in 3rd with 101, Phil Meredith of Kalispell came in 4th with 93, Sid Bitney of Kalispell came in 5th with 92, Mike Benson of Hot Springs came in 6th with 82, Richard Zimmer of Pablo came in 7th with 75, Roger Smart of Ronan came in 8th with 61, Paul Soukup of Ronan came in 9th with 51, and Bud Howe of Kalispell came in 10th with 51.

Smallest fish entry is held by Bill Violette of Missoula with a 170mm entry on Sunday. Second place is held by Hammernicks 211mm entry. No large fish have been entered.

Lady anglers are lead by Kim McMillie of Polson with 23, Susanne Albrecht of Polson with 17, Jeanne Cochran of Polson with 15, Debbie O’Hara of St.Ignatius with 12, Connie Jones of Kalispell with six, Cindy Benson of Columbia Falls with six, and Christine Staggs of Missoula with five.

One angler has been very lucky catching clipped fin lake trout. Phil Meredith turned in two tagged lake trout on Saturday with values of $100 each. Sunday he and partner Paul Lebert brought in five with fin clips but only one-Phil’s had an actual tag. It was also a $100 fish. Some clips have been done by anglers who mark the fish they catch. A total of four tagged lake trout have been turned in so far.

Mack Days Events are a tool used by managers to slowly reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. Native bull trout and westslope cutthroat numbers have dramatically decreased in the lake over the years. Native fish are part of the heritage of Montana and the Tribes. This is a chance to help maintain, enhance, and restore the population of these native fish in Flathead Lake. “Like a family heirloom passed from generation to generation, Montana’s native fish are among the treasures that make Montana such a special place. Montana’s native fish are Nature’s Keepers, and it’s up to all of us to keep it that way.” -Montana FWP.

For more information go to www.mackdays.com or telephone 406-883-2555, ex.7294.