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Bumper angling season on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal

People around the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal can expect to see an influx of anglers on their local towpath, as a bumper fishing season kicks off on the waterway.

The canal, once the broadest and deepest in the world, is set to host the fifth qualifying match in the Canal Pairs Championship, a prestigious new national angling competition on June 21, as well as the FA Cup of the angling world, the Division One National Championship, this August.

Each competition sees anglers score points based on the weight of fish they catch, with local anglers who know the patch well at an advantage when deciding their strategy. Visitors to the canals will look to clock up hours of practise as the competition nears.

Exciting competitions

John Ellis, national fisheries & angling manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: “The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal is hosting some really exciting competitions this year, first the Canal Pairs qualifier in June, before the big one- the Division One National Championship- later in the summer.

“Lots of anglers will be heading to the canal to suss out the best tactics to use, so people can expect to see a lot more fishing going on. It's also a great time to give it a go if you've not tried angling before. With the experts fishing with you it'll be a bit like going for your first kickabout with David Beckham, so it's a great way to pick up some tips.”

11 regional heats

The Canal Pairs Championship is being organised by the Canal & River Trust and the Angling Trust, and is aimed at encouraging people to rediscover their nearby waterways.

Hosted by Winget Angling Club, the competition will take place on Sunday 21 June, and is the fifth of 11 regional heats with the top five pairs from each match going through to the final in October.

The Division One National Championship will take place on 8 August, and will attract angling teams from all over the country, all hoping to take the top prize and qualify for the World Club Championships the following year.

Last Edited: 10 June 2015

photo of a location on the canals
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