Fermanagh anglers used home knowledge to feature on the prize list for the Waterways Ireland Erne World Open Pike Fishing Classic which was described by Jack Tisdall as "without doubt the premier Pike Angling event in the world".

With over �16,000 in prize money the three day event consisted of one day Bank fishing competition, a Boat Fly-fishing competition (both on Friday) and a separate two day Boat fishing competition (Saturday and Sunday).

A record turnout of 375 entries from 18 different counties in Ireland were received, as well as a number of anglers from Belgium, England and France. This is the seventh year of the event, which, from its inception, has been supported and sponsored by Waterways Ireland.

Councillor Thomas O Reilly, Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, presented the prizes for the Fly event and stated: "The Council prides itself in developing events in the County and it is pleasing that our natural resources are being used in a sympathetic way to further develop our tourist product. This is the seventh time this event has been held in Fermanagh and I understand there is an exceptional turnout of anglers. I believe the competition is one of the most prestigious pike angling events in the World and we hope that the standards set by the Erne event will be a benchmark for others." Despite high water levels on the river Erne competitors caught a total of 185 pike during the event, with four fish over 15lbs being caught over the weekend which included a fish of 18lbs which won the event. All fish were weighed and released unharmed.

The weekend started with the Bank and Fly events on Friday in excellent weather conditions.

Johnny Fallis from Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh dominated the Fly event, which was fished downstream of Portora Lock Gates. Johnny took the �300 first prize with a fish of 8lbs 12ozs, while Frankie Roofe from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh took second place with fish weighing 8lbs 04ozs. Last year's event winner Ronnie Kerr from Omagh, Co Tyrone took third prize with a fish weighing 1lbs 05oz. The eight anglers fishing caught a total of three fish.

The Bank event had a record 88 entries and took place on the river sections of Upper Lough Erne mainly and around Enniskillen town.

Wicklow angler, Sean O'Brien took the top prize in the event of �1,000 with a fish of 11lbs 15ozs from the Portora section. Previous winner of the bank event, Alan Foye from Co Antrim (�500) was unner up with a fish weighing 10lbs 11ozs from the Round O section, while Sean O'Brien (�400) also claimed third prize with a fish weighing 9lbs 15oz.

Alan Foye also won the cumulative prize of �500 with a three fish catch totalling 26lbs 07ozs from the very productive Round O section, Sean O'Brien's two fish total of 21lbs 14oz was good enough for second place winning �300, while James McParland, Co Down was third with a two fish weight of 12lbs 10ozs winning �100.

As well as a record �3,500 prize fund for the Bank event, as an added bonus, local fishing tackle wholesaler, Dennett's Outdoor, provided Salmon Lures to the eight section prize winners in the Bank event.

Day one of the Boat event produced a 16lb 08oz fish for local Enniskillen angler Richard Crawford and this big fish earned Richard a joined third overall prize of �600. Pat Byrne, from Co Wicklow, caught a fish of 15lbs 12ozs, winning the top prize of �600 for the day. Seven additional prizes ranging from �400 to �80 were paid out to anglers on the first day.

Day two of the boat event saw another three big fish landed with Barry Darby from Co Westmeath, catching a 16lbs 08ozs fish and local angler, Glen Hall from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, landing a fish of 16lbs 09ozs. Winner of the bank event Sean O'Brien crowned a fantastic weekend when he caught an 18lbs 00oz fish late in the day. All three fish featured in the overall prize list. Day two winner was Stephen McGarvey from, Co Armagh, winning the �600 daily prize with a fish weighing 11lbs 09ozs.

In the overall standings, Sean O'Brien's fish weighing 18lbs 00oz, earned him the �3,000 top prize while Glen Hall was second winning �1,500 and Barry Darby joint third with local angler Richard Crawford overall winning �600 each.

Les Woodland and Ray Collopy from Co Limerick won the cumulative Boat prize (�500) with a catch of six fish weighing 45lbs 14ozs, with Barry and Fininan Darby from Co Westmeath winning �300 with four fish weighing 43lbs 07ozs. A local pair of Richard Crawford and Glen Morrison from Enniskillen were third with five fish weighing 37lbs 13ozs, winning �100.

A record 17 teams entered this year's 4-Man Inter County/International team event (with �1,000 going to the winning team), which was won by Team, Shannon Co Longford/Westmeath. Joe McDermott, Shane Quinn, Barry and Fininan Darby caught a total of five fish weighing 59lbs 01ozs.

Eanna Rowe, Head of Marketing, Waterways Ireland, presented the Boat Prizes and commented, "Waterways Ireland is very proud to be associated with this prestigious competition and congratulations to all the anglers who participated in both the on-shore and the boat fishing events."