The logic behind joining fees is generally along the lines of membership retention and getting members to rejoin promptly to keep incomes level and regular (usually at about the right time for lease renewals to be paid). Clubs that don't have joining fees can often suffer fairly wild fluctuations in income. Just the weather can affect them badly as members put off rejoining until they actually wish to go. The prospect of having to pay a joining fee again can make such people renew in a timely manner.
The only other ways I've seen joining fees used is to dissuade those that are less than serious in their angling intentions. On syndicates, it can do the above and dissuade those that put their names on waiting lists only to refuse membership when offered it. The thinking is that such people should contribute at least a little extra. It doesn't come close to the expenditure of members that join at the start in anticipation of the fish reaching certain sizes. I think you might be surprised at the number of people that go on waiting lists only to dither when actually offered a place.
Personally, I'm not a fan of joining fees, especially for clubs. I've discounted joining more than the odd one because of them. However, I understand why they may wish to enforce them. One thing is for sure, I have no doubt that the relatively minor extra income goes back into the club. No one is creaming off joining fees and stuffing them into their back pockets. The vast majority of angling clubs are doing little more than balancing their books on an annual basis. Plenty are losing money but relying on surplusses from years past to keep them afloat. Whether joining fees help or hinder their mission to break even is debateable. However, if the clubs concerned believe it helps, good luck to them.
Couldn't agree more Chris,
In truth I've actually been a little guilty of this meself and no doubt I'm sure there's a few others that have done the same
A few times I've put me name down on waiting lists for various clubs and then when a place is finally offered am often dithering wandering in what to do simply because there's so many waters out there that we all like to fish but know that we can't join and fish em all and so it's then a case of picking and choosing and sometimes not always easy
At one time I'd join clubs anywhere around London and home county catchment which is one massive area, if one thinks this would include, Kent, Sussex, Hants, Surrey, Berks, Bucks, Beds, Herts and Essex boarders,
Nowadays i tend to stick to Kent clubs and with the exception of the Lea valley aswell as I've now fished the Lea for around 28 years and know it very well
