As far as I'm concerned I just love being out in the early hours, although easier in summer than winter as the years have passed by. Similarly, I also like fishing into the evenings...
I want to be on the bank when nobody else is around and not when folk want to stop by to discuss health issues or the state of the country for ever, so I know when I arrive on the bank at 5am or earlier I normally have some hours before they turn up - most of the time, but definitely in winter ! Unfortunately, and regardless of how far I walk, they still manage to seek me out....
Depending on how long I intend fishing I will choose a swim that gives me the best chance for the duration. In other words I won't fish a swim that is sun filled by 11am if I'm fishing til 3pm, simply because I know the chances of decent fish are diminishing once the sun hits the water. However, if the day is going to solid overcast or rain filled I will those swims a bash as well - rain equals no people tramping around, and I catch many good fish in these conditions....
Having said all the above, I have fished swims where the sun has burst through unexpectedly after having good fish off the bottom, and a quick change to ( say ) hemp fished mid water has produced a dozen quality roach or more, depending on how long I can stand the heat !!
As Gerry says, water craft is a major factor and its stood me in good stead over the years, but that doesn't mean going against convention cannot work as well. Flexibility of thought around what you're trying to achieve and thinking outside the box will always do better than turning up and plonking yourself in the first sun filled swim, on most occasions anyway !
So to summarize; I love early mornings, I love the peace and quiet, I have a choice of all swims usually, I take account of the weather and I have quality bait...the rest is up to me ! Evenings are just as wonderful, PROVIDING most folk have already left the water !
That said, I occasionally have to move swims if the above well laid plans fail to produce.........................................( even to a partially sunny swim ! )
ps I appreciate some go to top up tans and doze in the chair and that's fine, but not for me - I can do that in the back garden.....
PPS Greenie62 also spot on ; Fishing is also about the time spent at home giving thought to methods, tackle and how to improve your chances ( plus cleaning your gear !! ), not to mention analysing what went right - or wrong !