WATERWAYS IRELAND CLASSIC FISHING FESTIVAL DAY 3, THURSDAY 11TH MAY

The 2006 Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival came to a close on Thursday 11th May with a real cliff-hanger of a finish. London angler and Classic regular, Bill Mariner, emerged victorious with a winning total of 45kg 570gms, which earned him the top prize of £3,000 and a crystal trophy. He was closely followed by a young Manchester angler, Richard Smith with 43kg 460gms, who will collect a cheque for £1,500 and a trophy at the gala presentation in the Killyhevlin Hotel this evening.

Third overall was another English visitor, Barry Cooper from Whitchurch, whose final tally was 38kg 780gms. Kevin Locke, formerly from England but now a Fermanagh resident, was the top local with a total of 36kg 640gms.

Although the dry weather and bright sunshine that lasted for the duration of the competition was more suitable for sunbathing than fishing, catches were well up on last year. The Queen Elizabeth Road section in Enniskillen produced some very good weights on the final day; and the anglers are competing today in the second and final day of the King of the Erne competition, which also takes place during Classic week.

Organised by Fermanagh District Council, the festival is sponsored for the fourth year by Waterways Ireland, the North/South implementation body responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterways system.

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Further information from:

Ms Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 353 71 9650787 or 00 353 87 9918412. Or
Eddie McGovern, Fermanagh District Council on 0044 28 6632 3110.

Date: 12.05.2006
PR06012

Bill Mariner, winner of the Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival 2006 and John Martin, Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland at the prize giving ceremony.

Bill Mariner, winner of the Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival 2006