11/02/09

The remains of an angler fishing in the Snake River’s Hells Canyon have been recovered. According to Idaho County Sheriff Jim Gorges, the body of Jerome resident, Ray Dean Leavitt, 64, was found last Tuesday the 27th.

Leavitt was fishing in the Hells Canyon along the Idaho - Oregon boarder with 50 year old Tom Blair, when the boat they were in struck a rock and both men were thrown from the boat.

Blair was able to swim to safety, but Leavitt disappeared under the water.

According Sheriff Jim Gorges, a state fish and game officer along with a Nez Perce Co. Sheriff's Deputy retrieved the body and took it to a Lewiston funeral home at the family’s request.