Last Friday saw the final day of his year’s 2024 Classic Fishing Festival on the shores of the Lakeland Forum.

German native Rüdiger Handsen scooped the 47th annual classic as he reeled in the top prize of 81.050kg across the event, picking up the cheque of £5,000 and the Belleek trophy in doing so. 

He also took the International Winner award after its introduction this year with so many visiting entrants. 

Mark Warren of Derby, landed second place as he reeled in a catch of 70.100kg and another Derby competitor, Cameron Hughes came in third place, with a 59.380kg.

There was a fourth-place finish for another German fisher in Thorstein Beil with a catch weighing 52.5480kg.

The Masters Team event was taken by the four-man team of Must Try Harder in a close-knit contest but 70.100kg was enough to take this year’s prize.

Team Nytro came in second with 159.600kg while Erne Wanderers took third with 149.90kg after displaying some fine skills.

Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council presented all the awards at the farewell gala and prize-giving ceremony in the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges on Friday night.

“The Classic Fishing Festival, now in its 47th year, is one of the Council’s longest-established events in Fermanagh,” he said at the gala.

“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.”

Tourism Development Manager for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, George Bradshaw added: “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.”