The Erne Pike Classic competition held in Fermanagh last weekend drew pike anglers from far and wide to pit their skills against each other for a prize fund of circa £11,500. The competition had a split format, with two separate competitions: a bank event held on the Friday, followed by a 2 dayer boat event on Saturday and Sunday. Judging by the number of photos on the organiser’s Facebook page, plenty of quality pike were caught!
Things got off to a good start on Friday at the bank event, with a couple of twenties landed and a few doubles brought to the bank. Paul McManus won the top prize on the day with a fine fish of 22.04lbs.
On the first boat day, the average size of fish landed went up a notch or two, with three twenties and a good number of doubles brought to the boat. But it was well-known pike angler Joe McDermott who led the field at the close of the day with a super pike of 27.08lb.
That stamp of fish was always going to be a hard act to follow, but the anglers put in a sterling effort on day 2 of the boat event, and Steven Smith came closest, with a fine fish of 25.14lb.
So Joe McDermott’s day one pike couldn’t be bettered, and he claimed the trophy and a nice cheque for £2,000.
Full results below: