Can you tell us about the forthcoming series of Gone Fishing – it feels a little different this series?

Well, I think if it is different, it's because we have a slightly different approach. We wanted to be free to pick the places we’ve always wanted to go and places which, sort of, personally meant something to us. So, it's just a slightly different approach, you know, rather than just focusing on species of fish.

And some of the accommodation this series is in keeping with our memories – the caravan in episode two was very 70s holiday. That was one of Paul’s nostalgia trips, back to Wales where he used to fish with his father and friends.

Meanwhile, my nostalgia trip took me back to Manchester and saw one of my oldest friends, Paddy, that I hadn't seen for maybe 25 years or something, or even longer.

It was one of our most challenging fishing series. We didn't perhaps catch as many as we would normally hope to, but we did get some Clonkers. We got a particularly beautiful carp in Wales.

As always of course I cooked for Paul, he’s always very kind, and says he likes all the meals, but the meal I cooked in Manchester, I think he genuinely enjoyed - it was take away fish and chips – his best meal this series was venison, cooked on stones, in Findhorne, Scotland.

And I thoroughly enjoyed cutting Paul's hair this series. Turns out I'm maybe a better hairdresser than I am fisherman.

There were some new experiences fishing wise – tell us about that.

We went night fishing on in Wales which I’d never done before - that was a new experience for me, fishing in the night. In total darkness.

It actually all feels a bit sinister in the dark, with the river flowing and little bubbles and plops the splashes occurring all around you, but it really does get you in the zone. And I was lucky enough to catch a nighttime sea trout. Never seen one of those before. They're the same fish as the daytime ones, but there’s something special about the fact that you're just blind fishing. You know, you can't even see where you're casting to, it was fun.

You’ll see that once again, we go in search of a Perch – at Burley Lake and the River Wye and I know I’m spoiling it but to our discredit, we failed to catch a decent sized perch. That's seven series now we've been trying to get one, still haven't. I don’t know why, we’re doing everything we should do but it doesn’t happen. Maybe it’s because we’re never fishing like hard, expert, professionals.

Our main thrust is to enjoy the day. And if you're diverted away from the fishing with chatting and cooking, thinking about the evening, going to the pub, you're never going to be 100% on your game. I think that's true.

But the perch it's one of the so-called easier fish to catch. The grayling is a very difficult fish to catch, but we've had great luck with grayling. The perch however evades us, but we'll be back next time.

What makes fishing special to you?

The brilliant thing about fishing is, is that like, if I say you like squash, all that's on offer is the squash court. That's it. When you're a day's fishing, you've got miles of riverbank to explore. You've got a local town nearby that seems to, you know, the drinking and the eating is very much part of the day. I wouldn't set up a barbecue in a squash court. You know what I mean?

As always the locations are stunning, how do you find the locations?

In this series, we found some of them because we were re-visiting places that meant something to us. I said I would love to go back to Manchester. I have a lovely memory of living there and I just wanted to see it again, so then we found some fishing in Manchester.

I was desperate to have a go on the river Itchen in Hampshire and Paul has always wanted to take me there. So that's what we did.

And Paul was desperate to fish the Findhorne in Scotland. That's my favourite episode. The scenery in there is absolutely stunning. You could easily convince yourself you're in Canada or something, it's glorious. Didn't do too well with the fishing, but I got to cut his hair.

What was the highlight of your cooking?

There was a meal I've most enjoyed cooking in all seven or six series - I cooked venison burgers for him on hot rocks. And I thoroughly enjoyed that. And we had the black, sort of, burnt Scottish buns. Funnily enough, it was a very memorable little snack that was, it was lovely.

And how's Ted this year?

Ted’s slowed down a bit. He still enjoys himself but sometimes we have to put him in his little pram. When we're doing a lot of walking to get to the river. But you know, you're always guessing with your pets and what they’re thinking aren't you? You look at his demeanour, you look into his eyes, and he still seems to love what he's doing.

And can I ask how your health is? We know you had shingles, how are you doing?

I'm still suffering very much with recovering from shingles. I lost a lot of muscle, an awful lot of muscle in my legs, and I'm just desperately trying to get some strength back in them. But it doesn't really, change my lifestyle or anything. I mean, I can't run but I don't do that much running these days, so it's not a problem.

Both me and Paul in the series are discussing the fact, quite a few times, that we're beginning to feel our age. We're not as fast, we're not as strong, we're forgetting things. We're a bit more grumpy. We look physically a lot different from the first seasons that's for sure! We've aged. As has Ted!

But you're still loving fishing together?

The thing for me, is Paul's actually, largely because of the fishing, is much better travelled than me so I'm discovering the country as I do these shows, you know.

I've never been to the Findhorne up in the far northeast of Scotland, and I never would have, apart from the show. So, I've got to thank Paul, and I've got to thank the fish for carrying on under adversity with the state of our rivers, you know?

How do you choose the music?

Our wonderful editor, Doug, chooses the music. And then when we are sent the first cut of the episodes most of the music is just perfect. And then we'll make a note of suggestions - could you try Brian Ferry there? Could you try this bit of music there? So, it's a bit of a collaboration, but the main thrust is our editor Doug, and then me and Paul always manage to get a few of our favourites in there as well.

Watch Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing on iPlayer from Sunday 26 October.

Picture/Interview supplied by BBC