Missing Fisherman Found Safe Near Darrington

Crews who spent more than 24 hours looking for a fly fisherman who disappeared Saturday found him early Monday morning, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reported.

The 36-year-old construction worker was fly fishing with his brother on the Sauk River near Darrington, but failed to return to their planned rendezvous point Saturday afternoon.

After hours of searching, the man’s brother called authorities at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

Searchers launched ground teams, horse teams, a helicopter and a hover craft to look for the man, who ate blueberries, drank river water and built himself a fire to keep warm.

A search helicopter equipped with an infrared sensor spotted the fire. Then, rescuers went in on the ground.

They told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News the man was found only about a mile from his intended rendezvous point.

The man declined an interview, but he told photojournalist David Jofre that his worst feeling during the ordeal was worrying about his family.

He said he's a construction worker who's enjoyed the outdoors for 25 years.

He said he and his dog simply got lost. They were found 1.1 miles from where he was last seen.