Fisherman presumed drowned in Metolius

A 62-year-old fisherman was swept into the cold waters of the Metolius River on Monday. The man was fishing near Bridge 99 mid-afternoon when he apparently slipped and fell into the river.

Searchers hunted in vain for the man Monday afternoon, finding only some fishing gear. Search crews from Jefferson and Deschutes County were assisted by a LifeFlight helicopter.

Sisters-Camp Sherman fire department assisted in the search. Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Karjala described the accident:

"He was out there with his wife; his wife witnessed the fall," Karjala said. "He fell in, struggled to get out and fell again."

Karjala noted that the Metolius is cold and fast, with logs and rocks in the water.

"It's just a really dangerous river," he said.

The search was to resume on Tuesday, but hopes are dim that the fisherman could have gotten out somewhere downstream.

Karjala notes that the fisherman was not wearing a life jacket. He said the fire department recommends use of life vests on any body of water, but particularly on any as swift and potentially deadly as the Metolius River.