German duo Jens Koschnick and Thorsten Kusters scooped this year’s Lakelands & Inland Waterways World Pairs Angling Championships title and the €10,000 prize In a week with some of the best weights seen in the five years of this competition the relative newcomers to the Irish scene held an impressive lead all the way through. Consistent fishing saw a second place finish from Ireland regulars Rod Scott and Michael Buchwalder pick up the €5,000 cheque in second place with the 2015 title holders and brothers Steve and Phil Ringer move up from 9th to 3rd place in a sensational finish to the competition.
As Afloat.ie reported previously, the Lakelands and Inland Waterways World Pairs Angling Championships is Ireland’s most prestigious coarse angling event and attracted almost 100 of the best anglers from Ireland, Europe & beyond and bringing over €150,000 into the local economy. The challenge of catching the natural wild fish so prolific in Ireland’s Lakelands, is one aspect of the Competition but the World Pairs has the added difficulty of doing so in partnership, with both angler's catches contributing to the overall weight for the daily and overall prizes. Run over 5 locations on both sides of the border over 5 days of competition the World Pairs is the ultimate in angling competitions!
Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland have sponsored the World Pairs for the past five years, providing the top prizes with further support from Fermanagh-Omagh District Council & Cavan County Council. The active support of DAERA Inland Fisheries and Inland Fisheries Ireland has also been essential for a successful event with their expertise and resources in finding venues, preparing pegs, the bio-security measures and the stewarding for the events.
World Pairs Result
1: Jens Koschnick and Thorsten Küsters, 189.905 kg
2: Michael Buchwalder and Rod Scott, 174.010 kg
3: Phil Ringer and Steve Ringer, 168.790 kg
4: Will Freeman and Andy Leathers, 161.030 kg
5: Cathal Hughes and Philip Jackson, 156.550 kg
6: Nick Howell and Tommy Hillier, 154.055kg
7: Steve Fleming and Dean Barlow, 147.850kg
8: Lee Addy and Paul Keeley, 146.160kg
9: David Herron and James O’Doherty, 142.050
10: Darren Davies and Bob Nudd, 139.360kg