Fisherman vanishes at Idaho’s Hells Canyon, cops say. Only his gear was found on dock

An 85-year-old fisherman vanished from Idaho’s Hells Canyon, and only his gear was left behind.

Alberto Sillonis packed two fishing poles and tackle and headed to Hells Canyon on Monday, Jan. 17, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office said.

He left his home in Weiser and didn’t return that evening. The sheriff’s office received a report that Sillonis was overdue at about 6 p.m. and began searching for the fisherman.

Authorities searched the route to Hells Canyon and checked hotels in towns nearby, sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies found Sillonis’ car in the Visitor Center parking lot. Then they found his gear left on a dock.

“Deputies searched the immediate vicinity and located two fishing poles, with one still in the water, and bait on the center dock,” the sheriff’s office said in a Jan. 19 news release. “After investigation, it was believed that Sillonis had fallen from the dock into the water and did not survive.”

A search and rescue team searched the area on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 18. Rescuers searched the docks and shoreline, and used a remotely operated vehicle to look underwater.

“During the search, a felt, short brim hat was located on the rocks approximately 60 feet from the docks,” deputies said. “Family members confirmed the hat belonged to Sillonis. No other signs of Sillonis were located.”

The sheriff’s office said Sillonis is presumed drowned.

Hells Canyon is North America’s deepest river gorge in Idaho and Oregon, according to the Idaho tourism bureau.

This story was originally published January 19, 2022 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Fisherman vanishes at Idaho’s Hells Canyon, cops say. Only his gear was found on dock."