Erne Anglers Angling Club, Erne Pike Angling Association and Fermanagh District Council are working together to develop a Waterways Ireland Erne Junior Pike Angling Classic fishing festival. The event will be held on Saturday 24th March 2007 based in and around the river Erne, Enniskillen.

This will be the first of its kind in Ireland and it is hoped that it will become an annual event. The competition is open to young people aged 11–17 years old and is limited to 50 entries, so if anyone is interested in taking part, it is advisable to get your entry in as quickly as possible.

There will be a number of tackle prizes and gift vouchers available, which have been donated kindly by Cloughbally Mill Angling Centre and Home, Field and Stream, and we would hope that no one will go home empty-handed. Anyone interested in entering can get a booking form either at the fishing shops or from Fermanagh District Council tel. 028 66 325050.

Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing and Communications with Waterways Ireland, spoke of the importance of this event. He said, "Following the Erne International Pike Fishing Classic, which was sponsored by Waterways Ireland last year, we, along with Fermanagh District Council, agreed to sponsor this event for the younger angler. We are delighted to be involved in this as these young people are the future anglers on our waterways.

"We look forward to working with all the groups involved and we are sure it will be a great success."

Keith Collen, Recreation Officer for Fermanagh District Council said, "This is a great opportunity for young people to get involved in angling and to further develop angling in Fermanagh. The event is an excellent example of partnership working between the organisations involved."

Jack Tisdall, Secretary of Erne Anglers Angling Club said, "The club is very pleased to be associated with the event. We are always interested in trying to develop and encourage youth involvement in angling and perhaps some of these young people will become angling stars of the future."

Andy Wilson, from the Erne Pike Angling Association said, "This gives us a valuable opportunity to teach young people how to care for, handle and look after fish, which we hope in future years will benefit angling in Fermanagh."