Kalispell angler hits perfect score at Spring Mack Days

Jason Mahlen of Kalispell became the second angler in as many weeks to hit a perfect score during the Spring Mack Days fishing tournament last weekend.

After Mike Benson became the first angler in the tournament’s history to reach the 100-trout limit on each of the three days included in tournament scoring during the opening weekend, Mahlen followed suit by catching 100 lake trout on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the next week.

A total of 4,289 lake trout were turned in during the second weekend, bringing the tournament’s total to 11,038 lake trout entries.

After the first two weeks of the two-month tournament, Mahlen is now in the lead with 593 lake trout caught. In second place is Benson, of Lonepine, followed by Kalispell’s Ryan Shima, who has a total of 453.

Larry Karper continues to lead the 70-and-over category with 298, followed by Bob Christensen and Jim Hoover, who have caught 179 and 47 fish, respectively.

Brandy Hilde took over the lead in the ladies category with 86, closely followed by Julie Vacca’s score of 79. Connie Jones’ 46 fish puts her in third place.

Matt Guckenberg Jr. is winning in the 12-and-under category with 44, just edging out Leah Banyai, who has caught 43. Abby Hodgson has caught 36 fish, to put her in third place.

Danner Shima has a strong lead in the 17-and-under group with 446. Tyler Varga is in second with 67, and Aaron Lang is in third with 36.

Sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Mack Days is a biannual event on Flathead Lake from March 18 through May 15. With up to $250,000 in cash and prizes available to participants, the tournament is part of the tribes’ ongoing effort to boost the population of threatened bull trout by reducing non-native lake trout.

For more information, visit www.mackdays.com.