The blunt reply of “No”, and fish are not included, from West Yorkshire Police hit a nerve and I just couldn’t leave it unchallenged.

Our lakes, surrounded by farmers busy lambing, stables still being mucked out and local grain and pet food shops continually working, it seemed that, if it’s under water and you can’t see it, then it just didn’t count.

Unfortunately, under the Animal Welfare Act, fish being cold blooded are not protected. Not a good start when trying to convince the police that your journey is a necessity.

Putting river systems to one side, my thoughts are simple: if we are prepared to buy fish and stock to unnatural levels, then we have a duty of care to look after them.