Big-money canal pairs event now open to four nations

BRITAIN’S richest event for canal anglers is set to be bigger than ever this year!

Organisers of the Canal & River Trust/Angling Trust Canal Pairs Championship have revealed to Angling Times that regional qualifying heats will take place this year in Wales, Scotland and Ireland as well as England.

“The aim of the competition is to inspire anglers to experience the great fishing that can be found on their local canal,” said John Ellis, national fisheries and angling manager for the Canal & Rivers Trust. “The event was a great success in 2015 and proved popular with anglers from across the country. Even so, we wanted to expand the competition to include Wales, Scotland and Ireland and give even more people the chance to take part.

“I’m delighted to announce there are now qualifiers on the Grand Canal in Ireland, the Forth and Clyde Canal in Scotland and the Llangollen Canal in Wales.”

Launched in 2014, the event has been well received by match anglers and will once again see competitors score points based on the weight of fish they

catch, with five pairs going through to the grand final in October from each heat.

The Staffs/Worcester Canal in the West Midlands will host this and, as a reward for running the qualifiers, the 15 local organisers will be entered into a random draw for a lucky pairs ticket to fish the final.

Prize money for 2016 is also increasing and, depending on entry numbers, the top four pairs could share a total pot of £15,000.

It all kicks off on Saturday July 2 on the Hodnet AScontrolled Shropshire Union Canal, ending on the LeedsLiverpool Canal in Wigan in early October.

Application for tickets begins on Monday, February 15 at 9am via the Angling Trust at a cost of £40 per pair per qualifier.

To find out more about the Canal Pairs Championships go to www.anglingtrust.net