Ireland's Lakeland & Inland Waterways World Pairs Angling Championship is returning in 2014. The event will take place from the 8th to 12thSeptember 2014 in Ireland’s superb wild coarse fishing venues in the Lakelands region with many top class international anglers seeking the prestigious ‘World Pairs Champions’ title.

The Lakelands & Inland Waterways partners Waterways Ireland (@waterwaysirelan) and Fáilte Ireland (@failte_ireland) are delighted with the interest the World Pairs has generated and in conjunction with the host counties of Leitrim, Fermanagh and Cavan have sponsored the prize fund, a guaranteed €20,000 with more to come dependant on entries. Éanna Rowe Co-Chair of Lakeland & Inland Waterways confirmed "The Lakeland & Inland Waterways World Pairs has clearly highlighted to many international anglers that wild coarse fishing is hugely exciting, challenging and widely available in Ireland's Lakelands. Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland are delighted to co-sponsor the event again under our tourism banner Lakeland & Inland Waterways with support from Fermanagh District Council, Leitrim County Council, Cavan County Council and DAIWA. We are delighted to share our wonderful angling resources with the international angling community at the World Pairs."

The DAIWA Cup remains an important factor of this event allowing competitors to compete on an individual basis with the opportunity to win daily section and county cash prizes with the top ten receiving vouchers to be spent with DAIWA UK. Robin Morley comments;

“In only two years The World Pairs has emerged as one of the most prestigious events on the calendar and we are sure its appeal on a fishing and social level brings something that has been missing for a lot of UK and European anglers. Ireland is a great 'wild' place to come and fish. We at Daiwa are certainly 'up for the cup' for as long as The Pairs continues.”

New for 2014 are products to be donated by Bait-Tech Advanced Bait Solutions. Bait Tech invest heavily in top class anglers in the UK and now Ireland to ensure they get the best feedback in order to develop their products. Andy Neal comments;

“Bait –Tech are proud to be involved with the World Pairs Event. The match organisers have made a huge success of this competition and definitely put Ireland back on the angling map. More and more anglers are back in Ireland enjoying the fabulous sport that’s on offer. Couple that with the stunning surroundings and wonderful hospitality, you’re guaranteed a great time.

The event has gone from strength to strength and looks to have a massive future. With fishing of the quality that’s on offer and some of the best anglers in the world competing, we relish the chance to be involved. This is natural fishing at its very best. It needs to be celebrated!"

The organisers were delighted to see many new faces in 2013, some who were visiting Ireland to fish for the very first time. This event showcases the range of waters the Lakelands have on offer and provides an opportunity for anglers to compete in pairs and at an individual level. Ground support from Inland Fisheries Ireland (www.fishinginireland.info) and DCAL Fisheries Northern Ireland makes this event one of the most professionally run in Ireland. Interest is huge for this year and numbers will be limited so be sure to get your entry in soon.

Bookings are being taken now with more information coming in the following weeks at Facebook (worldpairsangling) and Twitter(@worldpairs) or visit http://www.worldpairsangling.com/.

At the end of a week of incredible fishing, full of twists and turns, Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland pair, Philip Jackson and Cathal Hughes, retained their crown as Lakelands and Inland Waterways World Pairs Angling Champions and picked up a mighty cheque for €16,000. Holding off a strong challenge from Preston Innovations EnglandFeeder Team Internationals, Steve and Phil Ringer, the Irish duo slammed an amazing 47.920kg on the scales.  Their last day performance capped a week where weights eclipsed the previous year. Over the course of the week, there were twelve
weights in excess of 30kg (66lbs), capped by Cathal Hughes' 40.180kg from the
river section of the Upper Lough Erne on the Crom Estate on Wednesday.Paul Keeley and Lee Addy were a credible third and received a cheque for €3,000. 
The top ten pairs shared the €30,000 guaranteed prize fund - see full results at www.worldpairsangling.com