Big, whopping, unrelenting wind hit Flathead Lake over the eighth week of 2022 Fall Mack Days. These seasoned anglers were resilient and knew where to be on Friday to be able to stay out on the water. Getting in a bay, cove, or behind an island are places they seek out. Sometimes that isn’t even enough, and it is time to head in to shore. It becomes impossible to stay over the fish if you are fishing in open water the winds push you everywhere.

Weekend total for lake trout entries was at 578 and event total so far with one weekend left the total entries are at 13,381.

Leading at the end of the eighth weekend is Mike Benson of Lonepine with 1,087 entries, a 53.94 18 average. Friday, he turned in 77, no entries Saturday and 52 Sunday. Second place Larry Ashwell-Missoula, with 910 entries and a 44.89 average, third is Felix Gauci of Stevensville with (767, no average), fourth is Jerry Benson of Plains (600, 33.06), fifth place is Terry Krogstad of Kalispell (642, 30.89), in sixth is Scott Bombard of Missoula (528, 29.33), seventh is Larry Karper of Florence (510, 28.33), in eighth place is Julie Perkins of Kalispell (491, 26.22), ninth is Richard Kreis of Huson (463, 23.28) and in 10th place is David McDaniel of Polson (379, 20.78).

Fishing from a smaller boat is very difficult and can be unsafe in the rough water. Anglers must use their knowledge and experience to make the decision if they should be out there. They use common sense and think safety first. They make the events successful and are very much appreciated.

Perkins continues her first-place lead among woman anglers, followed by Laurie Kreis of Huson (322), Kim Mack of Helena (129), Janet Myers of Riverton, Wyoming, (93) and Debby Sacchi of Thompson Falls (35).

The 13-17 leaders are Marcus Lucus of Polson and Shelbie Petersen of Columbia Falls, each with 3 entries. William Grob of Missoula still leads the 12 and under with 20 entries, Kysen Incashola of St. Ignatius has 7, Baylie Petersen of Columbia Falls has 2, and Terrace Dieterich of Kalispell has 1.

Mike Benson is first in the 70 and over with his 1,087 entries, Ashwell is second with 910, Gauci third with 767, Karper fourth with 510 and Jack Kirkland of Lolo is fifth with 355.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes sponsor the Mack Days Fishing Events as a management tool to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. The fall event ends November 13. For more information, visit http://www.mackdays.com or call (406) 270-3386.