The championship is split into five locations, with a member from each of the competing countries attending each location from November 30 to December 8.

There are 23 countries participating in this year's championship, including Kiribati, Mongolia, and Malta.

The Irish contingent said they may have an advantage in the miserable weather, as the fishing was better back home in the wind.

"The fish seem to fly more when there's a bit of a wave - and they can't see us," Frank Dempsey said.

"But our lakes are much, much deeper - that won't happen here today, because visibility has been so affected."

By the end of Wednesday the Czech Republic was the top placed team, followed by England and then Australia.

Tasmanian Jonathan Stagg is the top placed individual competitor.