Hey guys,

First off I would like to say hello , my name is Steve and I run the Satsop Springs Hatchery.

Second, I apologize for the delay on posting to this thread but I would like to add to this story basically where Lifter99 left off.

The day of the incident I was taking care of the daily chores around the facility when I received a call from down at Schafer Park. When I received the call I was told that while fishing someone tried to cross and was swept downriver and do I have a boat or know anybody with a boat. When I said I had a boat I was asked how quickly I could be there. Since I was unprepared for such a call I said I had to close shop, grab my gear, boat and would be there within 20 minutes.

At this point I am running getting things together so I could head down the road to the scene. In route I was driving as quickly as I could, thinking I am in a rescue operation and the man’s life depends on me, my boat and how quickly I could get there.

Once I teamed up with enforcement who was waiting for me at the park I followed them down to Satko Glen. The amount of enforcement vehicles, fire/ambulances/paramedics, etc that were on scene when I got there was mind blowing.

When I got there I jumped into action and got my waders on, boat ready and everything I could do until I was directed where the man was and where to launch. One thing I noticed when I was getting ready was that the scene was relatively calm and not what I expected. So I asked an officer where the guy was at and I was pointed to downriver on the right. As I’m looking I don’t see anybody standing on the bank or in sight. I ask again and was told to spot the bright yellow rain jacket tangled up in the log jam.

At this time, I spot the man and realize I am not part of a rescue mission but rather a recovery operation. My heart sunk, became overwhelmed with anxiety and became sick to my stomach. However, I was able to put my emotions aside, man up and get this job done.

We get the boat launched, two divers loaded up with me and we set out to retrieve the man. I rowed across the river to the right channel below the Middle and East Fork confluence. He had been out fishing with a couple young men and when trying to cross between Decker Creek and the S-Curves he apparently got too deep and when trying to turn around to head back to the bank he lost his footing and was swept downstream. Of course no life jacket, but instead had an extremely large hiking backpack on. This thing was huge and likely contributed to being swept downstream. It looked like a big oil barrel on his back that hung down below his waist. This backpack was in fact what snagged him to the tree downstream.

Once we got the man out from the tree to the bank and next to the boat the divers tried to lift him but were unsuccessful and needed my help. We loaded him into the stern of the boat and positioned as best as we could but was a challenge in itself. He was placed lying with his legs alongside me on my side tray to my seat.

Then we started our way downstream to the Kelly bar at Cook Creek where paramedics were waiting. This stretch of river was longer and quieter than usual in my drifter.

Very sad, emotional and sure makes a person sure respect the water. Please be cautious out there.