Dave,

Pretty sure I know of whom you speak. Very sad but unfortunately all too common. Especially with the inner tube crowd. But waders should also be cautioned as they often work around smaller but equally deadly obstructions along the rivers. Even unsuspecting trees and brush can trap a man against a moving current that is usually much stronger than he suspects. I have had a close call or two myself and almost lost my dog to a sweeper. It was a miracle she survived.
People need to understand that personal watercraft are especially vulnerable to these obstuctions. I would not be surprised if sweepers are the most common cause of drownings on our rivers.

Speaking of sweepers, a buddy and I ran into a wild situation while floating the Green a few years back. Just as we were dropping down a chute towards a cut bank, we watched helplessly as the bank we were headed for gave way and took out an entire grove of tall alders. As they toppled down in front of us they completely spanned the entire river. Unable to avoid them we headed for shallower water and just as we went into the mess the trees were swept down and out of our way allowing us to pass. Even though the river was blown out for the rest of the day from all the sediment that was put into the river, we were happy just to be alive.