The Fermanagh 47th Classic Fishing Festival 2024 Winners

The 2024 Classic Fishing Festival culminated in a thrilling finale on Friday 03 May on the picturesque shores of the Fermanagh Lakelands.  Rüdiger Handsen from Germany demonstrated an extraordinary display of skill, reeling in the top prize of 81.050kg over the three-day event, netting the winner’s cheque of £5,000 and the coveted Belleek Trophy.

Mark Warren, from Derby, secured a remarkable second place, harnessing his angling prowess to reel in an impressive 70.100kg followed by Cameron Hughes, also from Derby, with 59.380 while fourth spot went to Thorsten Beil, another German angler, with 52.5480kg

With so many visiting anglers, the festival includes an International Winner category.  This years winner was Rüdiger Handsen, Germany, taking the prize with 81.050kg.

The four-man team, Must Try Harder unleashed an unstoppable display of unity and skill, reeling in the hotly contested Masters Team event with 172.900kg.

Team Nytro earned themselves a commendable second place, their haul weighing in at an impressive 159.600kg Meanwhile, Erne Wanderers displayed their fishing finesse, securing a well-deserved third place with a haul of 149.90kg The winning team received a Fermanagh Fishing Classic Belleek Trophy and top three received cash prizes.

Presenting the prizes at the farewell gala and prize giving ceremony in the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges on Friday night, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council congratulated all the winners saying:

“The Classic Fishing Festival, now in its 47th year, is one of the Council’s longest established events in Fermanagh.   We have been delighted to welcome our local and visiting anglers to the area this past week and I have no doubt they have enjoyed the best of our local hospitality.

The event is hugely important to the area in terms of direct spend and we thank all our anglers for contributing to that, but it is also an opportunity for us to showcase the area on a national and international platform.”

The long-continued success of the Classic is due to the partnership approach between Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, DAERA Inland Fisheries and the local community through Erne Anglers, making the Fermanagh Classic Fishing Festival one of the most anticipated premier showcase events of the match coarse fishing season calendar.  This year saw the addition of Tackle Guru as main supporter of the event.  Tackle Guru were able to raise the profile of the festival which helped increase numbers and saw a total of 180 entrants from across Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, and Germany. Enniskillen BID have also been a pivotal partner in bringing the festival atmosphere back to Enniskillen town by facilitating evening entertainment during the week of the festival in four local hostelries, (Pat’s Bar, Charlie’s Bar, Crowe’s Nest, and TJ Ryans) who will provided competitors with offers and entertainment over four evenings.

George Bradshaw, Tourism Development Manager for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said ‘We are spoiled in the Fermanagh and Omagh District to have such stunning natural heritage and the quality of the Fermanagh Lakelands is what continues to draw so many international visitors to the area.  We were delighted to see the return of so many visiting anglers whilst also welcoming over 50 first time competitors’.