Dozens of people gathered on the banks of the River Don in Inverurie to mark the official opening of the salmon fishing season at the weekend.
About 30 anglers followed a piper and Aberdeenshire’s provost Jill Webster in a march from Kintore Arms Hotel to the river for the ceremony organised by Inverurie Angling Association.
Budding young anglers also turned out for the event, and watched as the group toasted the river’s health with a dram of Glen Garioch.
Former provost Raymond Bisset also read a poem in memory of Rev Graeme Longmuir, who blessed the river for several years before he died suddenly last August, aged 65.
Steven Corsar, president of the association, said he hoped the blessing ceremony – carried out this year by local shopkeeper Stuart Watson – would bring a better season than last year.
He said: “Generally most rivers fared quite badly last year, so we’re hoping things will improve this year.
“It’s been a wee bit worrying for most of the rivers.
“Most clubs are catch and release, and we’re trying to look after the fish and do our bit.
“We had a good turnout down at the river, this is the 12th time we’ve done it now. A few kids came along which is always good to see – it’s hard getting kids into sport, so we all have to do our best.”
Jim Kerr, river superintendent for the Don District Salmon Fishery Board, said: “It was smashing, it was a really good turnout and the rain stayed off.
“You never get two seasons the same, so we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for this year.”