WATERWAYS IRELAND CLASSIC FISHING FESTIVAL DAY 1

The 2006 Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival got off to a flying start today on the waters of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh. Two hundred and sixty five (265) anglers lined the banks of the Erne and cast their lines, hoping to reel in a good catch of fish to give them a chance of winning the top prize of £3,000 and a crystal chalice, or some of the many other cash prizes on offer this week.

Today's top weight of 37kg 860gms was caught on the Trory section by Manchester angler Richard Smith, who also netted £500 for his efforts. Second was Nicholas Roberts from Ellesmere Port with 31kgs 920gms, caught at the Ely Lodge section. Third was Michael Taylor from Enniskillen who netted 27kgs 030gms at the Portora section, he was also the top local angler. Two more local anglers figure in the top twenty, Mark Theedom (13th) and Phil McCaffrey (17th).

The recent rain and higher temperatures are expected to result in improved catches as the week progresses. The action continues on Tuesday with the first day of the King of the Erne event and the next Classic Fishing Festival day is on Wednesday. With no clear leader the competition appears to be wide open and expectations will be high when the anglers congregate for the draw at the Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen on Wednesday morning at the later time of 10am.

The Classic Fishing Festival, now in its 31st year, is being sponsored for the fourth year by Waterways Ireland and still remains one of the premier fishing festivals in the British and Irish Isles.

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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: 09.05.2006
PR06010

Doncaster angler Mark Silman with a fine bream caught while fishing the Waterway's Ireland Classic Fishing Festival on Lough Erne.

Location: Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh

Cavan angler Tony Price from Cootehill, with his catch after fishing Broadmeadow at the Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival.

Location: Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh