Missing fisherman found safe along North Fork Sauk River

Published 10:23 pm Monday, August 10, 2009

DARRINGTON — A fisherman who was reported missing late Saturday was found early Monday morning safe at a campfire along the North Fork Sauk River.

Around 70 search crew members had deployed near Darrington looking for the missing man, 36, Snohomish County sheriff’s spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said.

He had been fishing with his brother Saturday. The two split up, agreeing to meet later that day, Hover said.

When one brother didn’t show at the rendezvous point, the other called for help, she said. The missing man reportedly became lost trying to get to the meeting point.

“The terrain along the riverbank is rugged and brushy and it is easy to get lost in that area,” she said.

Crews used horses, dogs and a sheriff’s helicopter in the search.

About 3 a.m. Monday, helicopters crews using night vision goggles spotted the campfire and found the man, Hover said.

He was safe and in good condition.

“A surprisingly good end to a long search,” Hover said.

The man and his family declined media interviews.

Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com