CHRISTCHURCH AC have just landed the angling club scoop of the century after finalising an agreement with the owners of the Hampshire Avon Royalty Fishery, the country's most famous stretch of river, for a 20-year lease.

The royalty stretch is, without doubt, the icing on a very large cake for Christchurch Angling Club and will obviously see its membership increase as anglers from outside the area flock to join the club rather than pay day tickets.

However day tickets will still be available for anglers from Davis Tackle for those who only fish the stretch a few times a year.

The Royalty, once famous for its run of big spring salmon, has seen catches decline dramatically in recent years.

Although the stretch still has an excellent sea trout run, the cost of staffing and maintenance have taken its toll bringing the decision to lease it to Christchurch.

The stretch contains probably the highest density of double figure barbel in the country with fish to 14lb reported this year and multiple catches of doubles to several anglers.

The fishery has also produced chub to 7lb, pike to 30lb plus and has a tremendous head of bream and some big carp, along with roach, dace and perch.

The two-mile stretch contains some of the most famous pools on the Avon including the Parlour, House Pool, Bridge Pool and Waterloo.

It means Christchurch now controls the vast majority of the Hampshire Avon between Christchurch and Fordingbridge and brings the club stretch on the Avon and Stour to over 40 miles.

Apart from the rivers, Christchurch control 33 still waters including some of the county's top carp waters at Somerley Lakes, The Roach Pit, Spinnaker and the up-and-coming carp venue, Rockford.

With adult membership at £95 plus a £10 joining fee, OAPs at £60 plus a £5 joining fee and juniors at £40 plus £5 joining fee, Christchurch with the added attraction of The Royalty must resemble the most outstanding value fishing offer anywhere in the country.