The 2022 Fermanagh Classic Fishing Festival is taking place this year from Monday May 9 to Friday May 13.

Following a two year break due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council is delighted to launch the 45th annual Fermanagh Fishing Classic.

The Fermanagh Classic Fishing Festival is the showcase event of the Fermanagh match fishing season and each year attracts in the region of 250 anglers from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, France and further afield.

The coarse fishing event is a highlight on the calendar with anglers returning year on year to take part. Fishing locations are located across the Lower Lough in some of the most scenic and idyllic parts of the county.

This year, anglers will compete for a top prize of £5,000 with aggregate and daily section prizes also to be won.

The event takes places over three days of fishing; Monday, Wednesday and Friday followed by a closing gala and prize presentation on Friday evening.

The ‘King of the Erne’ competition will be held on Tuesday May 10 and Thursday May 12 as part of ‘Classic Week’ and registration for this event is open through the Erne Anglers Club.

Speaking at the Press Launch for the 2022 Waterways Ireland Classic, the Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson stated: “Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to working in partnership with other stakeholders to make the district a great place to live work visit and invest in and this long-standing partnership with Waterways Ireland in delivering the Fermanagh Classic Fishing Festival is evidence that this approach can deliver on this objective.

“The Classic is one of our longest established events here in Fermanagh and the number of visitors who return year to the county for the event year on year is testament to the warmth of the welcome and the quality of the catch.

“We are delighted once again to welcome the many anglers who make what has become for them, an annual pilgrimage to our Lakeland County.”

Andrew Nixon-King, Marketing and Development Director from Waterways Ireland also highlighted their delight to support the 2022 Fermanagh Classic Fishing Festival.

“For Waterways Ireland this festival is an ideal opportunity to showcase the areas of outstanding natural beauty on the inland waterways of Lough Erne whilst supporting our partners in the promotion of angling in Fermanagh. We hope that this expertly managed event will attract significant numbers of participants who will get the opportunity to experience a thriving angling community of hosts and the convivial hospitality that they offer. This event is a wonderful example of all that is wild and wonderful about fishing across the island of Ireland.”

The Fermanagh Classic Fishing Festival will be delivered by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, in partnership with DAERA Inland Fisheries and kindly sponsored by Waterways Ireland.

Registration for the event is now open via the Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com.

For further information or Enquiries, please contact the Council’s Tourism Development team by email at tourismdevelopment@fermanaghomagh.com by telephone on 0300 303 1777 or by textphone at 028 8225 6216.