Record-breaking start to Spring Mack Days

The 2017 Spring Mack Days fishing tournament launched onto Flathead Lake last weekend with a record first-day haul of more than 3,000 lake trout — including 11 competitors who reached the 100-fish limit.

Competitors eclipsed the previous first-day record of 644 macks, and Danner Shima reported multiple double-catches on Friday morning — hitting the daily limit by 10:45 a.m.

Two anglers are tied for first after perfect, 300-fish weekends: Scott Bombard and Michael Benson. Tied for third are Felix Gauci and Steven Benson, each with 294 trout.

Julie Woolley leads the ladies’ division with 54 lake trout, followed by Julie Vacca’s 52 macks and Brandy Hilde’s 31.

In the 70-and-older age group, Larry Karper leads with 174 entries. Bill Violette has caught 52 lake trout for second place, followed by Gary Perelberg’s 46.

Tyler Varga is in first place within the 13-to-17 age group with 110, followed by Matt Guckenberg Jr. and Leah Benyai, who caught 42 and 17, respectively.

Rylan Koch took over the lead in the 12-and-under category with 33 entries. Abby Hodgson is in second place with six, followed by Logan Long’s three fish.

Spring Mack Days ends May 14.

Hosted in the spring and fall by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Mack Days offers up to $225,000 in prizes to encourage participants to help the tribes reduce non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake.

For more information on Mack Days, call 406-270-3386 or visit www.mackdays.com.