Lancaster Canal-Preston-Canal Pairs-28/03/2026

Canal Pairs

Now in its 13th year, the Canal & River Trust is again pleased to host the National Canal Pairs competition.

The 2026 competition will comprise of 16 qualifying heats with the objective being a grand final line up of around 90 pairs (180 pegs). In the final, the top ten pairs will be paid out from the prize pot. (to be paid by BACS) The winning pair in the final will receive a minimum payout of £2000.

When you book this event, please keep in mind the following points:

1. You are not required to be a member of the Angling Trust or a friend of Canal & River Trust.

2. The person booking will be classed as Angler A and will be pegged in A section.

3. Please make sure you record your partners name and contact number when signing up for this event. They will fish in section B.

4. Please note your information will be shared with the relevant licensing authorities and it is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid EA rod licence.

5. At qualifying heats, the compulsory club peg fee of £5 per peg will be paid to the local event organiser prior to the draw. Optional pools at qualifying events will be £15 or £20, as determined by the local organiser who will also determine details of the 100% pay-out locally and announce this at the draw..

6.With parental permission and appropriate supervision, young people who will be aged 13 and over on the day of the final on October 3rd 2026 may enter as a pair or as part of a participating pair. Parents, carers or guardians must pay for any optional pools and would also receive any prize monies earned. For the avoidance all young people who choose to enter the competition must fish unaided at all times.

Event Details

The local organiser for this heat is: Mike Wilson 07967 619686 [email protected]

The cost of entry is £40.00 per pair (you only need to purchase one ticket which covers both you and your pair): £32.00 going directly to the final prize top, (the top 10 pairs will be paid out) £3.50 goes to Eventbrite in Fees, £1.50 goes in Administration and £3.00 goes to support the Let's Fish programme.

I have already qualified but I'd still like to Fish: National Canal Pairs Qualifying Events

For anyone who has already qualified you do not need to pay the entry fee. However, you must book directly with the local organiser at least 72 hours in advance. Mandatory peg fees and optional pools are paid on the day at the draw. If you have qualified and booked on further qualifiers it is your responsibility to request a refund. Refund requests will not be accepted less than 7 days prior to the day of the event in line with our refund policy.

Draw location Ancient Oak, Merrytrees Lane, Cottam, Lancashire

W3W: https://w3w.co/plug.herb.melon

Draw Time: 09.00 hrs

Fishing Time: 11.00-16.00 hrs

Fishing Sections: Bridges 16a-21 (closed for fishing from 21/03/26)

Pools: £20 all in

Breakfast available: At the draw venue open 8am

Presentation: At the draw venue

The Rules Canal pairs championships 2024 | Angling matches and competitions

Previous Canal Pairs winners;

2014 Simon Preece & Simon Mottram

2015 Kevin Clarke & Dave Edgerley

2016 Steve Dudley & Simon Nickless

2017 Dave Brown and Robert Lloyd

2018 Paul Gough and Dave Middleton

2019 Paul Murrin and Dave McCall

2020 Richard Chave & Lee Trevitt

2021 Simon Preece & Simon Mottram

2022 Simon Preece & Simon Mottram

2023 Ben Clarke & Richard Weaver

2024 Simon Preece & Simon Mottram

2025 Andy Pollard & Charlie Vallender

So who will be crowned 2026 Champion?

Could it be you competing at the Staffs and Worcester Canal final at Penkridge on Saturday 3rd October. Winners will be paid out via BACS around the 31st of October

Qualifying Rules

11 -15 4 pairs go through

16-20 5 pairs

21-25 6 pairs

26-30 8 pairs

31-40 10 pairs

41 pairs and above 12 pairs

Further information

You can contact Canal & River Trust at

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