A Salmon or Two

This is the story of George (known far and wide as Keyhole) Purvis, and his life as a salmon fisherman on the River Tweed from the 1950s to the 1980s.

At school they called him stupid, thanks to severe dyslexia that went undiagnosed for decades. But George wasn't one to let anything slow him down. He spent his life chasing new ventures and new adventures, with unstoppable energy and endless good humour. Along the way he collected a huge pile of medals from several different sports, expertly dodged the river bailiffs during night-time poaching escapades, accidentally won a dancing contest at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, and met Jackie Stewart in a national driving competition.

George also witnessed the end of an era, with the salmon populations dwindling and fisheries closing up for good, until he became one of the last net fishermen left on the River Tweed.