A special blessing of the river heralded the official start of the salmon fishing season in the north yesterday.
More than a dozen anglers turned out to mark the start of the season on Wick River.
They were piped down to the banks by local piper Alisdair Miller before the Rev John Nugent, of St Fergus Church, Wick, blessed the river.
For good luck, a dram of the local whisky, Old Pulteney, was then poured into the water.
The first cast was made by longs-standing Wick Angling Association member John Ryrie.
Unlike many clubs who invite local celebrities to open the river, Wick draw lots among the anglers who attend the opening to decide who gets the honour.
While it was the official start of the season, no fish are expected to be caught until the end of next month.
Wick Angling Association treasurer Colin Richard said: “It went fine today. We had about a dozen people or so turned up which is quite a lot for a small association.
“It was a lovely day. The weather last night had me worried but it was fine.
“We had a good year last year and the signs for the future are good.”
A total of 534 salmon were caught on the river last year, which was 120 higher than the year before.
Association president Ian Cormack was hoping the trend would continue.
“The last couple of years have been showing an improvement after a dip,” he said.
“A couple of years ago every river in Scotland had a bad year.
“We’ve come back in the last couple of years, and fingers crossed it will carry on.
“Things are looking good as far as the river’s health is concerned.”
The association has 250 members, of which 80 are children and pensioners.
With membership costing £100, it is one of the cheapest salmon rivers in Scotland to fish.
The season runs until October 12.