Early mornings with mist rising off the river as it snakes through the countryside is a quintessential picture that lots of us have in our mind when we think of our river systems. Rightly so too, it is a lovely image. But do you ever wonder ,as you try to walk as little distance as possible to your chosen swim, what lies in these meanders and the stretch above where you’re angling? Or the tributary that joins the river in the adjacent field? Probably not. Our river systems are vast and extensive right the way across the UK, but like anything in fishing certain areas are fished more than others, with others being totally neglected.

You can go fishing anywhere these days, which is great, obviously. It gives everyone somewhere to go and venues to suit all abilities. But does it mean that the age of the pioneer is now over? Is there an unknown anymore? Arguably there is still the odd still water that may be unknown. But due to the very nature of still waters being landlocked, and probably managed in one way or another, information of some sort is never too far away.

But what about our river systems? To me, they are the last real wilderness. Stretches that are inaccessible, and whackers that have never been caught along with an ever changing environment. They all are and always will be a wilderness.

Firstly, there is so much of our river systems across the Uk that is very difficult to access. As anglers, we generally like some level of comfort, and as short a walk as possible. `so there are so many stretches of river that do not get fished.There must be shoals of chub and barbel that never see an anglers hook in anger.

This brings me on to point two. With our rivers seeing much less anging pressure on the popular stretches than your standard commercial fishery, for example, do the better fish go missing for long periods of time? We all know that Dave is partial to some pike fishing in the winter. Does a mythical croc live in the depths of the Wye? They may or may not, but it's the not knowing that is really exciting isnt it?

Thirdly, and maybe most importantly as to why our rivers are the last real wilderness in UK angling is nature and the environment itself. Unlike our stillwaters and commercial style fisheries, our rivers change season to season and year on year. Floods rush through in winters and if rivers such as The Thames is your location of choice then it's not unusual to see carp, for example, escaping fisheries. Potentially giving you new fish to go at every year. Then there are rivers such as The Trent with the awesome power of the tide to cope with. Just look at the River Wye and how the salmon run every year. Different every season isn’t it? How exciting does that make the fishing! It may be plentiful with smaller fish one season and less so the next, but every salmon you hook could be the fish of a lifetime!

With these things in mind, the next time you fancy heading to the river near you, why not try some pioneering. Get some adventure in, fish the places that are hard to reach, that get neglected. So grab yourself a beer, get off the Facebook groups with the same old places being discussed and open Google Earth. Find your river, throw a pin down and head to a new location.

You never know, it may be the best days angling of your life. But if you don’t try it, you’ll always be asking yourself what could have been!

This ethos of pioneering is at the forefront of what we try and do at Angling Escapades. Dave and Monty spend hours and hours wandering the banks of the River Wye, in particular. It's important for man of Dave's experience to try and find new territory. This means that when you come for your day out with Dave there's always the prospect of something new and adventurous if that's the sort of thing you're looking for. And why wouldn't you be?

Tight lines!

The Last Wilderness