I realised many years ago that going out onto the river with the camera instead of the rods could often provide me with more information than when I'm out fishing. The reason for this is simple, I'm not carrying loads of kit and I can cover far more ground. On rivers this is essential, especially in the early stages. The problem you will find is that you have an overwhelming choice of areas you'll want to fish and so going out for regular walks will help you narrow this choice down. If you dont do this, if you dont concentrate your efforts on a few areas then it could take a lifetime to achieve any results and you could suffer many blanks.
Taking the camera ensures you have a record of what you have seen. Something you can take time on and go over again at home to help you out with your thought process. Winter of course is an ideal time to do it when we are all fishing less, but still have the urge to just get out there.
This trip was used just for that purpose but also to do a little more filming for the Great Ouse episode in the current film series 'A Carp Anglers Year'.