Fishing Guide's body recovered downstream of White Salmon River on Monday, sept. 30

From the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office with additions from CCCNews:

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 1, 2024 — Law enforcement officials have recovered the body of a fishing guide who drowned when his boat capsized on the Columbia River near the mouth of the White Salmon on September 25.

Michael Shufeldt of Woodland, Wash., was found at about 9:48 am in the Columbia River approximately 1.75 miles west of where he was last seen near the mouth of the White Salmon River.

He was not wearing a life jacket, according to local authorities.

Shufeldt is the owner of Reel Deal Fishing Adventures.

“Michael grew up in Southwest Washington, fishing the many rivers that he guides his customers on today,” his website states in a description of him. “Having the local knowledge of the area gives his customers the upper hand to catch fish that day. One thing is for sure, Michael will always meet you with a smile and guide you with a positive attitude. Catching fish is always Michael’s priority, but getting to know you, your family and your friend is also very important to him.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 11:39 a.m., Hood River County Emergency Dispatch Center received a call reporting a swamped boat in the Columbia River near the mouth of the White Salmon River. The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office responded with their boat, along with multiple other law enforcement agency boats.

Hood River County Sheriff’s Sgt. Eric Wahler said it was a chaotic situation as high winds compacted the waves. Sgt. Wahler was operating the sheriff’s boat during the rescue. He said witness accounts said Shufeldt’s open bowed jet boat was in a trough between two large waves when another larger wave crashed over the stern of the boat, swamping it.

Stufeldt worked quickly to help his clients get their life jackets.

Passengers who were rescued were shaken up, Wahler agreed.

“I get uneasy when I have to drive a boat with a full cab when the waves are standing up like that,” he said. “Treading water for 13 minutes in that would be overwhelming.”

The first law enforcement personnel were on scene within 13 minutes. Local boaters and first responders pulled all six of Shufeldt’s passengers from the water and transported them to shore.

Of those six, two people were transported to the hospital.

Schufeldt could not be found.

The initial investigation determined the vessel was a 24’ fishing boat that was last seen in the area of the green navigation buoy near the White Salmon inlet.

Information gathered indicates the sinking was a result of rapidly deteriorating weather conditions. The commercial guide boat capsized after taking a large wave over the stern. Conditions at the time of the accident were treacherous, and preliminary evidence suggests a tragic accident.

On Thursday, Sept. 26 at about 2 pm, the fishing boat was located with the assistance of the Skamania County Dive Team. The vessel was located in the Columbia River at a depth of approximately 40’ near the mouth of the White Salmon River. Efforts to recover the boat are ongoing.

“Michael was recovered with the help of the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office pilots, Columbia River Intertribal Police Officers, and the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office,” according to a Hood River County Sheriff news relase. “Although this was not the outcome anyone had hoped for, we are grateful that we were able to assist the family in recovering their loved one.”

The sunken vessel has also been successfully recovered.  It was initially reported the vessel was a North River boat, which turned out to be incorrect.  The 24’ fishing boat was recovered by a private salvage company without incident.