The River Thames is one of England's most iconic and storied fishing rivers, stretching approximately 215 miles from its source in Gloucestershire through to the North Sea. It is a river of extraordinary variety, flowing through ancient meadows, historic lock systems, and the heart of London before opening into the broad Thames Estuary. The river supports both freshwater and brackish environments, creating habitat for an astonishing diversity of fish — over 125 species have been recorded from Teddington Lock downstream to the estuary. The non-tidal upper and middle stretches are the primary focus for coarse and game anglers, offering classic river fishing for powerful, hard-fighting species in a setting that ranges from pastoral countryside to urban waterway. Its natural flow, rich food sources, and ever-changing conditions produce big fish and memorable battles, making every session genuinely different.