I heard a guy died up on the Wind yesterday. From the Columbian newspaper it sounded like it was at the 7 mile hole. I was there until 9:30am and it sounds like he fell in just before 10:00am, which means I only missed it by a few minutes. I guess he fell off the cliff into the water and hit his head on some submerged rocks. Too bad to hear about things like that, but you do have to be careful down there along the Wind.

I was at the Wind yesterday at 7 mile hole. I left about 8:00 AM. Later on a person at Bonneville told me someone got hit by a train near the mouth??????

I have been at the Wind most of the month. You are both right. It is pretty sad. I was told about them by a local fisherman this morning. I am not surprised about the fisherman at 7 mile. The Wind river can be a very dangerous place. When the rocks are wet they are slippery. I saw a girl fall in a couple weeks ago. Her friend jumped in after them. I yelled at the fisherman across from me they were coming down and he helped them out. She was very shaken up. After a while they calmed down and she climbed up the rope first. Her friend climbed behind her. She knocked a rock loose. By the time she said anything he got hit in the head with a rock a little large than a baseball. Luckly he was not knocked off the rope. The water is colder than some other rivers.

I was told Saturday 3 people fell in at one location.

I am very suprised about someone getting hit by a train at the mouth. You can hear a humb in the tracks before you even see a train. They also blow their horn in that area. I don't know the hole story as I just got home and have not searched the papers for it yet.

I met a nice 50-something gentleman coming down the trail as I was leaving. There was also another 50 year old fishing by himself along the cliffs when I left about 7:30 AM. The base of those cliffs has those little gouged out pools that are always full of green slime.

Barnett, I think I may have talked to you as well. Were you the one that talked about shad fishing the day before? I was up there on the cliff a little ways down river from the older gentleman. I don't think they guy that was above me at the time was the one that died. The paper said that the person was starting the hike out when he slipped in. There was another 50 something year old packing up when I left and I think it may have been him. I think he was the only guy on the cliffs that caught his limit too.

T-bone,Yes that was me and I remember talking to you and I also remember the 50 year old a few yards upstream of you who had been there since first light. After I passed you I met another 50 year old about a 1/3 of the way up the trail. He was a pleasant person and appeared well equipped with two rods equipped with floats. He should have appeared shortly after I left the area. Is that the person who you were thinking about?

Hear is a link to an article from the Columbian that was posted on another site.

http://www.columbian.com/05252004/clark_co/148724.html

Barnett, Not exactly sure if it was the same person. After you left about 8 more people showed up within an hour. If I remember right, the man I am thinking of was wearing a Mariners baseball cap. There was another guy standing next to me for quite a while in that age group as well.

Our sincere condolences to his family and friends. May they find some comfort in knowing that he died doing what he must have enjoyed very much.

It is certainly a tragic reminder however for the rest us of the everpresent risks that haunt our passion. And no doubt our friends and family would also rather have us back too than one more fish on the punchcard, another yarn for the board or one more grip and grin for the wall. Be careful out there!
Live to fish another day.

I too would like to express my sincerest condolences to the Holt family, and that you can find comfort and peace knowing that Tommie died what he loved doing most... fishing.
Tight Lines Tommie...
Winterun.

Does anyone know the ethnicity of the late Mr. Holt?

Thanks for the Phone call Joe, Tommie, (SGT Major ) was a great guy and a familiar face at the Wind and The Skok. I was fishing down low on Monday so I just heard about it.
On Tuesday we went into the Canyon and heard all about it from some of the guys that were there the day before. I know that right now Tommie is fishing in a much better place, somewhere the fish are always chrome and the bite never stops. My condolences go out to his family. I hope Little Tommie picks up the torch, I am sure he will.
Take care and God Bless
Peace
Superfly

another thing, at least he was doing what he Loved to do!!!
Peace
Superfly

Damn you just confirmed it for me SF...I was hoping it wasn't him. Spent the last 10+ years on the river listening to Tommy Sr. tell a good fishing tale or two. A lot of it was embelished, so I just laughed my ass off. But, it was all good anyway!

I just saw Jr. a while back on the Cow. True, it is his time now.

Tommy Sr. was a great person and an excellent fisherman.
I known him for 20+ years from Dash Point.
He was the ultimate banker.
If you ever seen him at a bank, there will be fish to be caught from Oregon to BC.

Man, I am going to miss the cussing, swearing, and the laughters with Tommy on the river.

Tommy had a great sense of humor.
He would crack up with laughter when I make fun of his bad leg.

And did you know that after Tommy caught his limit or done fishing he would spent a half an hour picking up trash on the bank? Even in the dark glow balling Blue Creek.

Tommy was an awesome guy he was a great fisherman and will be greatly missed I remember when I worked at auburn sports he would always come in and bring me smoked salmon and we would just sit and b.s about fishing I remember fishing with him he would school all the young guys out there on the river my best wishes to his family he will be gretly missed!!!!

I knew Chico, very sad! He was an avid fisherman who loved to be out on the water!
God Bless you Chico and may god bless and help your famly through this tragic time.