Northwest Montana anglers dominate Mack Days "Bucket of Fish"

Last Friday was the first of three “Bucket of Fish” days in the fall Mack Days Tournament and four anglers from Northwest Montana had the best performances.

The contest is for anglers who boat the four largest lake trout under 30 inches.

Jens Gran of Polson scored 10 points with a combined weight of 24.7 pounds. Big Arm’s Rick Skates was second with a bucket weight of 23.95 pounds. He scored eight points.

The Whitefish duo of Roger and Gina Schiff was third with 20.7 pounds. They earned six points. Thompson Falls angler Sam Sacchi of Thompson Falls scored four points with 16.25 pounds.

Jack Kirkland of Missoula was fifth with a bucket weight of 15.9 pounds. He claimed two points.

Points are totaled at the end of the three days and overall awards are given. The heaviest weight wins $200. The second Bucket Day is Saturday, Oct. 16, while the third is Nov. 7.

“Freddy Mack,” the $10,000 tagged lake trout is still in hiding out in Flathead Lake. There are also three $5,000, five $1,000, and more than 9,000 tagged lake trout with values from $100-$500 that have been released throughout the lake.

Catching tagged lake trout the past week were: $100-Sandy Lanch, Larry Ashwell of Missoula, Felix Gauci of Stevensville, Ken Rickert of Thompson Falls, Roger Schiff and Gina Schiff each $100-Whitefish, Julie Perkins (2)-Kalispell. Catching $200 tagged lake trout were Dan Deutchman and Dan Seman of Missoula.

The lake trout anglers are led by Felix Gauci of Stevensville with a total of 572 lake trout entries.

Second place is held by Larry Karper of Florence with 409, third is Sam Cusker of Bigfork with 366, fourth is Mike Benson of Lonepine with 311, and fifth is Jack Kirkland of Missoula with 292.

Laurie Kreis is first among ladies with 211, while Kalispell's Julie Perkins is second with 190. Kim Mack of Missoula is third with 75, Debbie Sacchi of Thompson Falls is fourth with 49, and Gina Schiff of Whitefish is fifth with 43.

The 70-and-over group is led by Larry Karper with 409, Jack Kirkland is second with 292.

Brynn Blowers of Missoula turned in three to lead the 12-and-under group. Kaden Blowers has one entry in the 13-17 group.

Total catch for the event is at 6,743. The weekend catch was 1,604. Friday’s total was 559, Saturday 555 and Sunday 490.

Weekend drawing winners included $200-Sam Sacchi; $100-Jeremy Williams-Big Arm; Larry Ashwell, Richard Kreis and Sam Cusker.

There are 64 different lottery drawings plus other categories that give anglers a chance to be successful and earn awards. Entering the event is free and entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event.

Go to www.mackdays.com for more information and to see the list of statistics, or call 406-270-3386.