Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing returns to BBC Two this weekend. Here Bob Mortimer tells us all about it…

Can you tell us about the forthcoming series of Gone Fishing?

We have a slightly different approach. We wanted to be free to pick the places we’ve always wanted to go and places which  personally meant something to us. So, it's just a slightly different approach 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.

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 Findhorn, 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 in Wales, which I’d never done before, fishing in total darkness.

It 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 blind fishing – 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 – 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 per cent 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 [and]  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 them?

In this series, we found some of them because we were re-visiting places that meant something to us.

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 Findhorn 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.

How's Ted  the dog 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'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…

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?

Paul – largely because of the fishing – is much better travelled than me so I'm discovering the country as I do these shows.

I’ve never been to the Findhorn 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.

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. 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.

» Paul ​Whitehouse interview

• Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing returns for an eighth series from 9pm on Sunday on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two.