Lower Deschutes River Search Effort Continues
Recovery efforts continued Thursday on the lower Deschutes River near the Trout Creek Campground in Jefferson County for a man swept away while fly-fishing Sunday night.
As 54-year-old Steve Adams’ family copes, campers and river-goers are taking steps to be extra-cautious.
The scene at Trout Creek was much more relaxed Thursday than it was earlier in the week. Where there were once search and rescue teams, people were floating and enjoying their visit.
After learning about a recovery effort for Adams, many said they hope they can help.
“This is someone’s family member,” said visitor Davis Teichgraeber. “This is someone’s father, someone’s brother. Every effort should be made to give the family some closure, and the worst is not knowing.”
Many experienced with the river said all the snow that fell in the winter had a major effect on the river’s current, and it can catch visitors off-guard.
“It’s running pretty high right now, so it makes it a little bit more swift,” said rafter Neigel Benshool. “It makes the current a lot stronger and if you have a little less experience with that, I can see how it can over power you.”
Family members said Adams was fly-fishing when he apparently lost his footing and was swept away. He had been camping at Trout Creek with family for over 30 years.
It’s a similar tradition George Puentes and his friends have kept alive for more than two decades.
“Yeah, I’m sure people do fall in,” Puentes said. “It’s slippery. We’ve saved each other now and then.”
Search and rescue teams focused on the downstream stretch of river, toward Maupin on Thursday.
Although the recovery efforts have been unsuccessful, people in the campgrounds say they will keep a lookout and spread the word of Adams’ disappearance.
“To have the remains of your loved one is so important,” Teichgraeber said. “We’ll keep an eye out for it. And if you know one is there, you can give the family some closure.”
Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins said efforts to find Adams have been scaled back since Monday’s initial launch. Search and rescue teams will continue to scour the area until at least next Tuesday.
