Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Wiseguy on November 12, 2024, 06:00:35 PM
-
Attention Chehalis river anglers! Keep an eye out for Brad Werbowski who went missing on the Chehalis river last Sunday Nov 10th. He was last seen walking up the trail into the canyon. Search and rescue has been on scene searching for him. His family and friends are devastated. Thank you.
-
https://www.theprogress.com/news/agassiz-rcmp-seek-public-help-finding-missing-man-7641992
-
I hope he is found alive. A tragic reminder to never split up from your friends when in the wilderness
-
I hope he is found alive. A tragic reminder to never split up from your friends when in the wilderness
Yup. Brad went into the canyon area by himself. Search and rescue searched the area with a fine tooth comb. We think he fell in a got swept away. :'( He’s still out there somewhere. Hopefully he’s found and the family can have closure.
-
Man, when it’s a fellow angler and a place you’ve fished before on your own, it hits home.
Angling on moving waters comes with risk, and sometimes it just takes one bad decision, or something expected, to turn a day of fun and promise into a tragedy.
Hoping Brad is found safe and sound, but given the efforts by SAR, perhaps the best we can hope for is closure for family and friends.
-
"...last seen wearing hip waders a hat and glasses."
How many more people are we going to lose due to their choice of waders?
Hip waders are not a good choice for rivers such as the Chehalis, Vedder, Squamish...Heck, they are not good for anything. All it takes is one slip, and they'll instantly fill up with water and pull you under. If you have and use hip waders, do yourself a favour and throw them out and buy yourself a pair of chest waders (or wading pants) with a belt (and USE the belt). It can make a difference between life and death if you fall in.
-
"...last seen wearing hip waders a hat and glasses."
How many more people are we going to lose due to their choice of waders?
Hip waders are not a good choice for rivers such as the Chehalis, Vedder, Squamish...Heck, they are not good for anything. All it takes is one slip, and they'll instantly fill up with water and pull you under. If you have and use hip waders, do yourself a favour and throw them out and buy yourself a pair of chest waders (or wading pants) with a belt (and USE the belt). It can make a difference between life and death if you fall in.
I noticed that too, but thought it might be an error in reporting as non-anglers often mix up hip/chest waders.
-
....sad to here....Sar helicopter circled over buddy and I in the canyon on Monday....buddy and another angler pulled a long time canyon fisher out of the water also on Sunday.....I myself fell in a few years ago and was extremely lucky to get out....7 foot drop and in over my head....pretty sure it was the neoprene chest waders that saved me.....we sometimes do stupid shite just to catch a fish....
-
"...last seen wearing hip waders a hat and glasses."
How many more people are we going to lose due to their choice of waders?
Hip waders are not a good choice for rivers such as the Chehalis, Vedder, Squamish...Heck, they are not good for anything. All it takes is one slip, and they'll instantly fill up with water and pull you under. If you have and use hip waders, do yourself a favour and throw them out and buy yourself a pair of chest waders (or wading pants) with a belt (and USE the belt). It can make a difference between life and death if you fall in.
Brad was wearing chest waders. He always wore chest waders. He didn’t own a pair of hip waders.
-
....sad to here....Sar helicopter circled over buddy and I in the canyon on Monday....buddy and another angler pulled a long time canyon fisher out of the water also on Sunday.....I myself fell in a few years ago and was extremely lucky to get out....7 foot drop and in over my head....pretty sure it was the neoprene chest waders that saved me.....we sometimes do stupid shite just to catch a fish....
Yes. Sar chopper was up in the air on Monday searching. You were in the canyon on Monday eh? Did you see any signs of Brad? A article of clothing, fishing rod, roe baggie etc?
-
I noticed that too, but thought it might be an error in reporting as non-anglers often mix up hip/chest waders.
it’s an error in reporting. Brad was wearing chest waders.
-
it’s an error in reporting. Brad was wearing chest waders.
Thank you for the clarification.
I'm really sorry that this happened. I can't imagine the anguish his family and friends are feeling.
Be careful out there everyone.
-
Thank you for the clarification.
I'm really sorry that this happened. I can't imagine the anguish his family and friends are feeling.
Be careful out there everyone.
Thanks. It’s horrific. He was married with two young children. They will suffer the most. I hope someone finds him and the family can have closure. I was out searching yesterday. The river is high and fast right now.
-
Yes. Sar chopper was up in the air on Monday searching. You were in the canyon on Monday eh? Did you see any signs of Brad? A article of clothing, fishing rod, roe baggie etc?
.....did not see anything ....we probably were further up and on the opposite side...we were at the lucky 7 as some call it...
-
Chopper was up in the air again today searching. I searched the shorelines as well. River is dropping.
-
I’m sorry, @wiseguy. That’s rough. I don’t know what would be worse: finding your friend, or not finding him.
-
I’m sorry, @wiseguy. That’s rough. I don’t know what would be worse: finding your friend, or not finding him.
Finding him would provide closure to his family. My grief is nothing compared to what his family is going through. I’m very thankful to the people searching. Let’s bring Brad home to his family.
-
The article says he was with a friend. What happened to the friend? Did they get separated or somethin?
Sorry to family I hope they find some answers. this is my wife’s biggest fear.
-
Sorry to hear about this tragedy.
He was with a friend and they were to meet up back where they parked and when he didn't show, reported him as missing.
I have never fished the canyon. I always felt a fish wasn't worth a broken neck. I have a cautious nature, others are more daring.
-
Man I used to scramble all over that canyon when I was much younger. Often alone. Count my lucky stars I guess. Terrible tragedy. My condolences to friends and family.
-
The article says he was with a friend. What happened to the friend? Did they get separated or somethin?
Sorry to family I hope they find some answers. this is my wife’s biggest fear.
Brad went up into the Canyon and his friend did not want to go into the canyon. They agreed to meet up at Brads truck at the end of the day. Brad never returned to his truck unfortunately that evening. His friend notified the authorities. Still no sign of him. SAR has been searching on foot and with a chopper. The native band has been searching the reserve side of the river. The native band have been very supportive throughout this ordeal. The family is devastated. Brad was married with two young children.
-
Here is the GoFundMe page for Brad:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-werbowski-family-as-they-search-for-bradly
-
I was extreamly sad to hear this news when it got to me, and I can't thank you enough @wiseguy for the updates you have provided.
Brad is a great guy and this is truly tragic. I can't imagine how his family feels.
I've shared this story to my outdoor friends and people I know from Chehalis, I hope they are able to find him.
-
Here is the GoFundMe page for Brad:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-werbowski-family-as-they-search-for-bradly
Thanks Rod. Just donated. My thoughts are with his family and friends. As clarki said, this hits home.
Related to river and wading safety and hoping to help others, I can only recommend the following two podcasts from the Orvis fishing podcast with renowned experts on the topic. Some good tips and reminders on how to face tricky situations in the water and be as ready and as fit as possible. You can skip the "fly box" questions (usually first 30 min) to get to the actual interview. You can also find them on Apple music, etc.
https://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/podcasts/general-fly-fishing/1859-this-podcast-may-save-your-life-with-ralph-cutter - highly recommend. I use the tips learned here every day when wading rivers and channels
https://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/podcasts/general-fly-fishing/1848-how-to-become-a-better-wader-with-lindsay-kocka
-
This time of year most local rivers will be in the cold water immersion temperature range. If you fall in, getting out of the water is the first of your problems. Hypothermia is an immediate threat. It has happened to me & always surprises me how quickly the feeling of cold and shivering sets in. In the cool air of late fall drying even synthetic clothing outside takes hours.
I carry a few items with me; a knife, a flame red survival blanket, a candle style lighter and a whistle.The 3 weigh next to nothing and are not bulky. I have practiced whittling slivers of wood and lighting them with a sustained flame and it will work. You can't get a sustained flame from matches. The whistle can help alert S&R of your location. A flame red survival blanket will make you more visible.
Also many smart phone have some immersion rating. I always keep mine in a ziplock bag. You can also buy purpose made waterproof pouches or cases. You can't call 911 with a dead phone.
-
Still no news. Friends and family continue to search the Chehalis river. Brad was an experienced angler and very familiar with the canyon having made many trips into the area. Hopefully he’s found soon so the family can have closure.
-
A friend of the family just informed me that he has been found 3km down from where he went missing.
-
This is so sad. At least his family and friends will get the closure they need. My heart goes out to them.
RIP Brad Werbowski.
-
Some closure for the family. Rest in peace.
-
My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Brad Werbowski
This has been just posted in the Gofundme page
It is with great sadness that we update that on Sunday, the family was informed that two fishermen had found Brad. This was not the outcome that we were hoping for. We send all of the prayers to Mika, the kids and the Werbowski family in this time of grief.
Please respect the families privacy at this time. Thank you.
A celebration of life will be planned. More information to follow.
Rest in Peace Bradly
-
....my sympathies to family and friends.....r.ip. fellow canyon crawler....vibe there will be different....
-
Cant even fathom what the family is going through, hope this closure gives them some peace !
RIP Brad