#ANGLING – Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland have come together to establish a higher profile for the excellent wild fishing that is available in the Lakelands & Inland Waterway Region. They have established the Lakelands & Inland Waterways World Pairs Event which brings Ireland's angling into big-money stakes with a staggering £60,000 prize package.

The World Pairs Event will see the winning duo pocket £30,000 for their efforts, with second getting £10,000, third £5,000 and fourth down to 12th place overall each getting £1,000, along with a raft of tackle prizes.

Only the best 160 pairs will be competing ensuring the cream of the angling world, the tightest competition imaginable. The match costs just £90 per pair to enter and has already attracted interest from America, Holland, Germany as well as in the UK.

An event with a difference, the match is split between venues in the north and south of Ireland and across rivers and lakes, which will mean all-round skills on float, feeder and pole will be a necessity.

"Each angler will take it in turns to fish either side of the border, with the overall places decided on weight, rather than points," said organiser Kevin Locke. He added "This will be the richest match fishing event in the world, and with all the prize money from the four days, plus practice opens before the main event which amounts to over £70,000, this is the most lucrative match ever,"

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Martin Dennany, co-chair of Ireland's Lakelands & Inland Waterways said: "This event is an opportunity to highlight the wonderful fishing available in Ireland, particularly in the Lakelands & Inland Waterways region. It will cover Fermanagh, Monaghan, Cavan and Leitrim; all areas well known to the domestic and international angler. By using both lakes and the Erne and Shannon Rivers we aim to put Irish fishing at the forefront of wild angling worldwide."

Two practice opens will run before the main action gets underway on Tuesday, September 11. Organisers are launching the event officially after the Waterways Ireland Classic in May, but tickets are already on sale, with Kevin the man to contact on +44 (0)7736 129627. The closing date for entries is Friday, August 17.