Kalispell anglers finish on top in Mack Days tournament
Kalispell anglers cleaned up this spring during the Mack Days fishing tournament that wrapped up earlier this month.
At just 18 years old, Kalispell’s Danner Shima notched his first win in the tournament after reeling in 1,652 lake trout during the nine-week fishing competition. He was followed closely by another Kalispell resident, Jason Mahlen, who took top honors in the spring tournament the last four years, while third place went to Danner’s father, Ryan Shima.
The biannual tournament is hosted by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and is part of their program to conserve native bull trout and westslope cutthroats by removing introduced lake trout from Flathead Lake.
And Tyler Varga, a 16-year-old from Kalispell, blew away the rest of the 13-to-17 age bracket with 549 fish — nearly twice his previous personal best set last year.
“Overall, it was a good year. I didn’t give up on it at all, I just tried my hardest,” Varga said, adding that he’ll be aiming to break the 700 mark next year.
He added that his friendship with tournament winner Danner Shima, who lives on the same block as Varga, helped him out as he and his dad plied the waters of Flathead Lake. While the competition’s top anglers were reeling in macks at a record-breaking pace during the first two weekends, Varga noted that the action slowed considerably as the river swelled with rain and snowmelt, sending a broad plume of muddy water farther out into the lake.
“When you were coming in you could see the whole mud line from the delta,” he said. “With the visibility, it becomes harder for the fish to see. They have an easier source of food in that stuff, [so] they’re always hunting inside of the mud line instead of the outside, where people usually fish.”
Varga added that while he typically fishes the lake at a depth of 160 feet, the increasingly muddy waters forced him to drop his line to depths of around 280 feet by the time the tournament wrapped up.
As in years prior, Florence anglers also posted high totals. Taking top honors in the ladies’ division was Julie Vacca of Florence, with 332 fish. Kalispell’s Connie Jones took second with 176, followed by Janine Kowalski’s 164 entries.
Another Florence resident, veteran Mack Days angler Larry Karper again won the 70-and-over age group with 863 fish, followed by Bob Christensen, with 318. Gary Perleberg took third place, with 107.
Rounding out the top three in the 13-to-17 age bracket after Varga were two more Kalispell youth, Abby Hodgson and Leah Banyai, who reeled in 103 and 99, respectively.
The 12-and-under winner was Kalispell’s Matt Guckenberg Jr., who turned in 102 macks. Rylan Koch came in second with 35, followed in third by Kayne Kirwan’s 23.
The “Spirit of the Event” awards went to Terry Krogstad and Michael Benson. The award is for anglers who exemplify good sportsmanship, leadership and helpfulness to others.
The success of Mack Days is made possible by the time, effort, money and dedication of all the anglers who participate in the event. Successful anglers endure hours upon hours of fishing in all kinds of weather and conditions.
A total of 37,195 lake trout entries were turned in during this spring’s event — the second-largest total in derby history.
The 2017 Fall Mack Days tournament will begin on Sept. 22 and end Nov. 12.
Visit www.mackdays.com for information about the Mack Days fishing competitions.
Reporter Sam Wilson may be reached at 758-4407 or swilson@dailyinterlake.com.