The first ever Upper Lough Erne Pike Classic was held over the weekend, centred around the Derryadd Boat Club near Lisnaskea in Co Fermanagh. The event was very well supported with 164 entries from 90 anglers from all over Ireland, in 52 boats fishing for almost £6,000 in prize money.
The sponsors of this new event in the Pike fishing calendar were the Upper Lough Erne Region Tourism. They proved to be excellent hosts for the event, working in partnership with the NCFFI, Fermanagh District Council and DCAL the fishery managers.
The venue proved to be a huge success with plenty of fish being caught and the facilities at the Derryadd Boat Club excellent for the event.
The overall winner was Robert Storey from Co Antrim who was partnered on his boat by his wife. Robert caught his 16lb 12oz fish casting a Savage Eel Lure on the first day of the event. This proved to be good enough to take the £1,500 top prize.
Runner up was Barry Darby from Co Westmeath who caught a fish of 16lb 08oz on Sunday to take the £1,000 prize, Joe McDermott from Co Longford winner of last week’s Lough Ree festival was third with a fish of 16lb 04oz and picked up a cheque for £500.
The last fish into the top 15 prize list was 10lbs 14oz
The sponsors were delighted with the turnout and committed to running another event in 2015.
