I was dispatched to the river today for a fisherman who waded in too far. 38 year old guy was fishing for kings and waded into the drop off in the river across from a place called "Frank's Landing" on the Ft. Lewis side.

Witnesses tried to help the guy but he was in too deep with the chest waders. He floundered several times before going in for good. Dive team was still looking for him when I went off duty.

Remember one thing folks, waders don't help you float, wear some type of PFD either built in to your vest or extra, it WILL save your life.

bum deal for sure

That is a sad thing. Thank you for taking the time to remind the rest of us to take precautions.

This is really a sad thing. It's too bad that this happens more often than people think.

Sad!

remeber guys if your not going to wear any type of PFD ALWAYS wear a belt to keep water from filling waders if you happen to fall or go a little to deep.

Damn, that is very sad news.
I had plans to fish this hole today right after work.
I am very familiar with this hole and just do not understand why people insist to wade out so far.
Guys, you can easily cast across the river with one hand so why do you have to get out so far.
Please, oh please think safe where ever you fish.

It is truely a very sad day.

that a sad event for sure, i to have seen to many people way to far out in the current, when the boats are passing you on both sides that a sure clue, that river is mean for sure, trees float by regularly, i hope it reminds everyone to be safe out there and don't risk your life for a fish.

Wearing a belt on your waders is great advice. It should be like wearing a seatbelt.

Sorry for the fisherman.

I bought one of those fishing vests that inflates with a co2 cartridge for my dad because he cant feel his feet anymore because of Diabetes. He didn't want it so I have had it hanging in the garage. Think it might get some use now. For a hundred bucks it might just be a good investment.


Just goes to show you your worst day of fishing isn't always better than your best day at work.

SAD!

The dive team finally recovered the body today. It was hung up on some debris about 100 feet from where he went in....Left a wife and 13 year old behind. ....

I am glad to see the response here from you guys on your awareness of safety.

The wierd thing was, yesterday I had to stop by the scene to get an update from the dive sgt. so I could call the press and guess what? There were plenty of guys still fishing the hole where the poor guy went in as if nothing was happening. Only one of them had a belt on his waders and no one had a pfd that I could see. Personally I would find it a little creepy to pull a fish from the same hole where I knew someone was laying.

The carbon made the news last night. Apparently the river came up quite a bit during the rain Friday night and stranded some guys on the other side. One attempted to cross and didn't make it across, 911 was called and Pierce County Search and Rescue got the others across fine.

The first guy to attempt it was shaken but ok they said.

Anybody have any recommendations for a good inflatable vest?

I think the best ones for wading would be SOSpenders or any other like product. I have a pair on my boat but and never thought to wear them while wading. I will now. These are light, small, and inflatable.

Check them out at : http://www.sospenders.com/

Or these belts packs are a little cheaper:
http://www.sospenders.com/product/8030434.html

I was across the river during the search and rescue operation that was not completed at the Carbon. S and R person was not able to cross the river because it was too strong for him. Six stranded guys decided to hike 2-3 miles towards a housing development as suggested by the Search and Rescue personnel on the other side.

Stearns makes a vest that inflates via co2 it costs about a hundred bucks. I have heard stories that support it's ability to save a life. One older gentleman had fallen overboard with his hip boots on and completely submerged. When his buddy looked to see what had happened there was no sign of him. Then low and behold he popped right up under his nose. After pulling the rip cord it inflated and saved his life. A hundred dollars well spent.

It's ironic...we'll spend $700 on a rod and $500 on a reel thousands on accesories, but fisherman almost always neglect a cheap item that will save their life.


very sad indeed.

Rapid40,
That makes sense. I was thinking thats what I would have done in the first place.

Not surprising that the local media was wrong on this one.