Joe Harrop R.I.P. 1924 - 2008
Joe was a lifelong angler who, according to his family, had fished ever since he was able to hold a fishing rod. Along with his
wife Tina he opened what became the famous Royalty View guest house in February 1982 catering for the army of anglers visiting the nearby Royalty and Throop
fisheries from all over the UK.
As well as offering them a place to stay he was renowned for passing on advice on fishing these waters gathered through his
thousands of hours fishing these venues himself.
In 2006 Joe and Tina decided it was time to sell up for a well earned retirement and, at the age of 81, Joe was able to devote
even more time to his fishing. Last season Joe caught his latest PB barbel with a lovely 13lb 4oz fish from the Royalty.
Joe passed away in Bournemouth Hospital after a short illness last week and was cremated on Tuesday 20th May at Bournemouth
Crematorium. He leaves his wife Tina of over 30 years, son Stephen, Daughter in Law Hilary, grandaughter Esther and his beautiful spaniel which always
accompanied him. He will be sorely missed by many anglers spread throughout the UK.
I have known and fished with Joe since the 1970's and he was always very cheerful and loved walking the banks with his dog
and talking to anglers. He would help anyone to catch fish and put them on the right track.
There is even a swim named after him on the Royalty Fishery called Joe's Hole, which he frequently fished and caught barbel
in the 1980's and 1990's.
Friends and local anglers are having a collection to purchase a memorial bench in memory of Joe to be located on the Royalty Fishery. Details or donations info from Davis Tackle in Christchurch.
