TWRA: Fisherman drowned after falling off kayak in rough waters on Watauga River

UPDATE: The fisherman has been identified as Brandon Nave, 31, of Watauga, Tennessee, the TWRA reported.

CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A fisherman has drowned after falling off of his kayak in rough waters on the Watauga River Monday, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) reports.

A spokesperson from the TWRA confirmed to News Channel 11 that the drowning took place at about 9 a.m. roughly a half-mile below Wilbur Dam.

The TWRA said a 31-year-old man from Watauga, Tennessee and another man fishing with him both hit rough waters and capsized, falling off their respective kayaks. The man who was fishing with the victim was able to make it to a shoreline and call 911 to report him missing, the TWRA said.

The victim’s body was recovered around 10:10 a.m. by the Carter County Rescue Squad and the Carter County Sheriff’s Office. The man was not wearing a personal floatation device, according to the TWRA.

This marks the 15th boating-related fatality of the year, according to the agency.

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