On 4/28/2012 at approximately 6:18 am on Waitts Lake on the opening day of lowland lake fishing season, operator/victim in a 16' motorboat with a 60 HP outboard engine lost his pole over the side of the vessel when he got a bite on his fishing line.  He dove in after it.  The weather was cold and rainy and he was not wearing a PFD. 

Steven's County Sheriff's Office personnel spoke with the two passengers on the boat, the victim's wife and one other.  Both said after the vicitm dove into the water they began yelling at him to grab the rope they had thrown him in the water.  They also threw 3 life jackets to him and one vest was close to where he could have grabbed it but the victim would not let go of the fishing pole.  At the same time, they tried to start the boat motor but were having trouble getting it started.  The vicitm was telling them "Hurry up, get me out of here!"  They got the motor running and started to circle him.  The victim went underneath the water and did not come up.  Both passengers said they could not understand why he would not let go of the fishing pole.  The officer spoke to numerous witnesses and no one, including the investigating officer, believed that any wrong doing had occurred. 

The victim's body was later recovered on 5/2/2012 by the Stevens and Spokane County Sheriff's Offices.  The spouse was notified and victimi was transported at the direction of Stevens County Coronor's Office.
Valley                        