Formed four years ago ISHA now has members across the world from the UK to Australia, and just about everywhere in between. Members have access to research data that is unavailable anywhere else and is entirely free. All we ask in return is to be given detailed catch reports at least twice per month to further aid our research into specimen fish behaviour.
For the data collected to be worthwhile, accuracy and honesty are vital. Inaccurate data is worse than no data at all which is why we have to carefully examine every application, especially as full members also have access to our experimental baits which are not for mass production. If our recipes and techniques were to be given to a commercial concern for production our research and possibly the fish themselves could be irreparably damaged as we could have a situation where inexperienced anglers were catching specimen fish with no idea as to how they should be handled. As a result membership to ISHA is notoriously difficult to achieve with only one application in around 200 being accepted. Even then, new members are not given total access to our research data for the first year. There is also a confidentiality clause to sign as well as a number of restrictions regarding the release to the media of any of our material. ISHA is without doubt the most exclusive angling association in existence, and rightly so.
A) Because there are many who would abuse the information and .....
B) Because why should we allow everyone to exploit information that has cost us many years and a small fortune to accumulate ?
We do however fully appreciate that there are many anglers who have been unable to join either because of the commitment required or simply because they have not managed to pass our entry requirements despite being honest and well intentioned. We obviously make the odd mistake as we always tend to err on the side of caution when receiving a new application, perhaps at the expense of a genuine one being declined. A year or so ago we expanded the European Specimen Hunters Association to become ISHA due to the demand from many outside the EU and in the same way we feel it is time to expand again to include a second & third entry level that is much easier to join and without the restrictions imposed by full membership. This will also make it easier to apply for the top level membership at a later stage as we will obviously get to know the new members better and perhaps treat them more fairly should they wish to upgrade.
Obviously, the entry level will be restricted but it will still allow access to data that has not previously been available as well as being able to join the discussion forums within the site. Information on a variety of species, terminal rigs, methods and baits, ....... all of which should prove both interesting and useful to anyone that wants to improve their knowledge of fish behaviour in general and take the pursuit and care of specimen fish seriously. It should also appeal to pleasure anglers who enjoy catching fish of any size without having to apply the dedication needed to catch the bigger specimens.
You can apply for membership either by using the direct link below, the feedback form in the Contact Us section or by sending an e-mail to
admin@supafish.com
Check out our forthcoming publications too, you may find something of interest whether you are a beginner to the sport or are a seasoned angler.
