Billy Connolly has officially opened the new salmon fishing season on the River Dee on Monday.
The much-loved comedian and actor performed the official ceremony as guest of honour on the riverbank at Milton of Crathes.
Despite being the start of the salmon season, Connolly revealed that he is more of a trout lover.
He said: "I fish very rarely on the Dee because I live next to the Don and the Don is such a beautiful wee river, and I like trout fishing so it's hardly worth my while to go across to the Dee just to mix with these tweedy types and fish for salmon.
"I'm not really much of a salmon guy. I like the trout. I like fishing for salmon when the occassion arises and the company's right but a good day's trouts fishing is my hearts delight.
Connolly went on to speak of his love for the north-east of Scotland.
"When I was about 12 or 13 we came to Torry on holiday and I had the time of my life. It was a holiday I'll never forget as long as I live. And I still love Torry and it's funny because when you say that in Aberdeen people just laugh because it's not a place theylook on as a place you'd go to holiday to.
"But it was one of the brilliant holidays of my life and it's given me a love of the north-east that I've never lost.
"It was after that I discovered folk music and Huntly and all that real north-east Bothy Ballad country and all that. I love the sound of the north-east, I love the way they speak and the way they sing and I just like the way they behave and I'm very happy among them.
Mark Bilsby, River Director of the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board, said the Dee was entering 2010 in “good spirits” following 20-year-high salmon and grisle catches last year.
He said: “Catches were boosted by the wet summer, giving some ideal angling conditions. It was also the best season for sea trout for ten years.”
Conservational work is ongoing to improve the habitat of the main river and its offshoots to maximise the fish population.
Mr Bilsby added: “The Upper Dee Riparian Woodland Scheme is a prime example, where we intend to plant native trees to combat the local impacts of climate change."
