Waterways Ireland Class – Final results
The 2011 Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival finished with a real cliff-hanger on the sometimes sun-drenched and sometimes windswept waters of County Fermanagh. Local angler John Potters from Lisbellaw scooped the top prize of £5,000 and the crystal chalice with a winning overall catch of 46kgs 120gms, a mere 290gms ahead of 1978 Classic Winner, Kevin Ashurst. John Potters had held a slender lead going into the final day, with 5 Classic regulars snapping at his heels, but he held his nerve and extracted 15kgs 170gms from the Manor House section. This ensured his place in Classic fishing history, as the 36th winner of the long running festival. Kevin picked up £2,000 and a crystal sports trophy for his runner-up spot, which should ease the disappointment somewhat.

Third overall was St Neots angler, Andrew Leathers, with a total catch of 35kgs 610gms which earned him £1,500 and a crystal sports trophy. In fourth place was Jimmy Messner from Durham with 35kgs 550gms, winning him £1,000 and a Belleek trophy. Bringing up the top five was Michael Wright from Calverton with 34kgs 860gms, netting him £500 and a Belleek trophy.

There was a very respectable average catch per angler of 4kgs 243gms on Monday and although this was not replicated on Wednesday or Friday of Classic week, the average catch for the week was slightly up on last year.

The team event was won by the quartet of Bob Nudd, Barry Smith, Kevin Ashurst and Gary Whalley, who edged ahead of the ‘All the Gear, No Idea’ Team by a winning margin of just 250gms.

Top Six Overall

1st – John Potters, Lisbellaw – 46kgs 120gms

2nd – Kevin Ashurst, Irvinestown – 45kgs 830gms

3rd – Andrew Leathers, St Neots – 35kgs 610gms

4th – Jimmy Messner, Durham – 35kgs 550gms

5th – Michael Wright, Calverton – 34kgs 860gms

6th – Roger Wakenshaw, Skellingthorpe – 31kgs 870gms

The Classic is sponsored for the ninth year by Waterways Ireland and is organised by Fermanagh District Council, in conjunction with the Inland Fisheries Division of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Well done John you did us proud!!