The Launch of the Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival takes place yesterday Friday 23 April 2010 in advance of the competition which runs from Sunday 25 April to Friday 30 April 2010. This year’s Classic Fishing Festival is the 35th anniversary event, cumulatively hosting over 12,250 anglers. Though it must be said most of them have come year after year, in total they have spent over £17,500,000 in the Lakeland County since 1976.
The 2010 event welcomes competitors at a reception taking place on Sunday 25 April, with the competition begins on Monday 26 April and the Festival closes with a Gala Farewell and Prize Presentation on Friday 30th April.
The Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival is the main event of the Fermanagh match fishing season and attracts up to 250 anglers from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, Austria and even further afield.
Over the five days, anglers will compete for prizes worth more than £20,000, with section and daily prizes on offer along with aggregate prizes. The “Classic Competition” takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the “King of the Erne”, organised by the local Erne Anglers Angling Club, completing the Festival on Tuesday and Thursday.
Among the 250 eager anglers lining up at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum on Monday morning will be last year’s winner, Andrew Chapman from Ballybay, Co Monaghan. He is to be joined by twelve other previous winners, including Kevin Ashurst, who won the Classic in 1978.
Organised by Fermanagh District Council, with assistance from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Festival’s major sponsor for the last seven years has been Waterways Ireland, the navigation authority on the inland waterways of which Lough Erne is one.
Martin Dennany Director of Marketing & Communications Waterways Ireland said’ The Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival is a major joint activity which Waterways Ireland supports in partnership with Fermanagh District Council.
Speaking at the Press Launch for the 2010 Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival, Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Councillor Robert Irvine stated: “The Classic, now running for thirty five years, is one of our longest established events here in Fermanagh and we are delighted to once again welcome the many anglers who make an annual pilgrimage to our Lakeland County”.
Anglers can apply before the event by contacting Fermanagh District Council, Town Hall, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, BT74 7BA or by calling +44 (0)28 6632 5050.
