43rd Fermanagh Classic Fishing Festival

The 2018 Fermanagh Classic Fishing Festival, sponsored by Waterways Ireland, reached a thrilling finale today on the sun-soaked shores of Lough Erne. It had been a very close contest, with just over a kilo separating the top two anglers going into the final day’s fishing. Tony Hopkins of Lough Gowna emerged victorious, his catch of 3 kg 420  gms on Cleenish Bridge being enough to get him into top place on the leaderboard, with a total over the three days of 36 kg 240 gms, netting him the winner’s cheque of £5,000 and the coveted crystal chalice.

In second place overall was Andrew Hampson of Chapel Allerton, whose total catch of 34 kgs 580 gms earned him £2,000 and the runner’s up crystal trophy. Third was Worcester angler Stuart Harford with a total of 27 kg 560 gms, which landed him £1,500 and a crystal sports trophy.  Fourth overall was Stefan Engert from Germany , whose 27 kg 540 gms was enough to secure him £1,000 and a Belleek trophy. Two times previous Classic winner John Potters was fifth with 26 kgs 930 gms and Nottingham angler Rob Parker came home in sixth, with 25 kg 540 gms.

The winners of the hotly contested team event, the Waterways Ireland Masters, were ‘Wakefield Trinity’, with ‘Dickie’s Arsenal’ second and ‘Family Affair’ in third place.

Today’s daily winner was Rob Parker from Nottingham, with German visitor Stefan Engert second, Craig Fletcher from Bath third and Cavan angler Peadar Harten in fourth.

The Classic is sponsored for the sixteenth year by Waterways Ireland and is organised by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, in conjunction with the Inland Fisheries Division of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

For further information please contact Katrina McGirr, Waterways Ireland, on 00353 71 96 50560 or Eddie McGovern, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, on 0300 303 1777.