Nature Watch, with Ron Freethy

PROVIDING care is taken to appreciate the obvious dangers associated with water, this part of our environment can be the most exciting.

I don't think naturalists appreciate how much general information about wildlife anglers have.

Most take an interest in the other forms of wildlife which surround them.

This week I spent some time along the Leeds to Liverpool Canal at Kildwick, near Keighley.

I spoke to anglers, one of whom told me a lot about the roach.

This is a very adaptable fish and will tolerate mild pollution and low oxygen levels.

It is probably the most important fish in the economy of ponds and canals.

The roach will eat almost anything whether it is animal or vegetable and anglers can use almost any bait!

Roach grows to a length of between 15 to 20cm -- six to 12 inches.

It is an attractive fish with a dark grey back, silvery sides and with colourful fins.

The dorsal and tail fins are brown, while the pelvic and anal fins are a delightful shade of red.

The next time you meet an angler who looks friendly -- a lot more often than you think -- get him to talk about his catch.

You may well get a wonderful biology lesson.