WE have just suffered two major storms which raised water levels in our rivers to record heights and caused some severe flooding to towns in river valleys all over the UK, including to a lesser extent St Asaph.

It's not the time to be out on or around the rivers, the might of water in flood is unimaginable.

Giant oak trees may be seen bobbing down the river, tumbling and turning as if weightless, which of course they are in the water, but look out anything that gets in the way - even stone bridges can be cracked and damaged by these runaway giants.

So beware of flood water.

Another risk is that the flood water may wash away the redds, the areas under which salmon and sea trout lay their eggs, and by so doing risk the coming year's new fish stocks.

That, however, is nature and the natural flow of the seasons.

There is a much more serious threat to our environment - pollution.

In years gone by, our farmers' animals produced fertiliser which was a valuable commodity to spread on their land and help keep the soil fertile. Now farms that used to support comfortably say 50 cows mass produce milk from several hundreds of cows meaning the volume of slurry is far greater than the land can absorb and the excess eventually ends up in a water course and then to our main river, with devastating effect.

Now our farmers have to make a living, about that there can be no argument, but they do need to find a solution to the slurry disposal, otherwise our rivers will be devoid of aquatic life and our fields empty of insect life, in very few years, and that matters.

Our environment is our life blood, it provides the oxygen we breath, the insects the food they need and the fauna upon which or bees feed and which they pollinate.

This is not intended to be an attack on our farmers, the guardians of our countryside, rather an appeal that they consider the issue and help to avoid the destruction of our riverine system: please.

That’s it, sorry, but I feel the appeal had to be made.

What about the coming year?

As it progresses, spring is upon us and the birds and animals’ instincts turn to thoughts of new families and establishing their own “patch”, like the swan in the attached picture.

This bird cleared over a dozen Canada Geese from a small lake, so that he and his mate could get on with the business of raising a family, in peace. This is not a sight many of you will be lucky enough to witness unless you are out and about in the countryside, especially if you are quietly fishing.

Please note that if you do intend to go fishing, you must have a licence. You can obtain yours from any post office, or from the website of Natural Resources Wales.

Early season, up to early June, fishing in the river will be most successful if fishing for wild brown trout: please handle them with wet hands and care and return them to the river.

The fishing bye-laws have been changes this year, so please do look at them and be sure to comply with them.

You will also require a licence to fish any fresh water lakes or ponds. This is my first contribution of 2020, so my usual appeal: why not try fishing, any type of fishing, in 2020, or if you have a child or grandchild, take them fishing.

The local fishing tackle shop will be pleased to give you all the help and advice to may need.

I wish you many tight lines for 2020, and please consider your environment: take your rubbish home. Thank you.

ALLAN CUTHBERT