20lb salmon makes a splash by leaping into fishers’ boat

Two Tay fisherman had the shock of their lives when a 20lb salmon leapt into their boat without even hitting the sides.

Arnot McWhinnie and Peter Keay, friends for decades with a combined 120 years of salmon fishing between them, were open mouthed with amazement.

Arnot called the moment a “once in a lifetime experience”, after the angler was left reeling by the unexpected arrival.

He said: “My back was to the action. I heard Peter’s warning shout and my first reaction was to look at the rods thinking a fish was on.

“Then some th ing slammed me in the back as

Peter roared a salmon jumped into the boat.”

“It was absolutely amazing. The salmon smacked me a couple of times before Peter managed to grab it and held it for a hurried photograph before returning it to the river.

“The chances of such a thing happening are akin to winning EuroMillions.

“The two of us have had 60 years each fishing and have never seen or talked to anyone who has had a similar experience.

“I do recall, however, seeing a 16-pounder in a glass case which was said to have jumped into a boat about a hundred years ago.”

Arnot said it was the only fish he caught that day. had

Atlantic salmon, dubbed the Silver Leapers, provide one of n a t u r e’s great spectacles as they jump waterfalls while migrating up rivers to spawn.

Salmon are also often seen leaping from pool to pool to get upriver as quickly as possibly.

Peter, a ghillie who works on the R iver Ta y ’s Almondmouth beat, said: “I saw the fish’s head and body emerge like a torpedo and shouted on Arnot to watch out. It thrashed about in the bottom of the boat no doubt wondering where he was.”

It is not the first unusual experience Peter and Arnot have shared.

Nearly 50 years ago

Arnot landed a 20-pounder while fishing the Tay at Scone Palace where Peter then led a commercial salmon netting crew.

That week not one salmon had been netted.

Peter admired Arnot’s fish then told him: “I’ve been l u c ky, t o o ,” and produced a magnificent, perfectly shaped Tay pearl.

He said: “The net occasionally dredged up a freshwater pearl mussel and I let the men open them. For some reason I decided to open one myself and this beautiful pearl popped out.”

Peter had it mounted on a pendant for his wife, Esther.

Arnot McWhinnie with his catch – and story – of a lifetime.