Foresthill flyfisherman drowns in Yuba

MARYSVILLE (3/7/03) -- A 63-year-old Foresthill man apparently drowned in the Yuba River, authorities reported Friday.

George D. Homer fell into the river Thursday morning while flyfishing in waders near the Highway 20 crossing just west of Smartsville, a spokesman for the Yuba County sheriff reported.

Another fisherman, Dale Jacques of Kingville, observed Homer floating in the water and pulled him from the water, but was unable to revive him, deputies reported.

Homer was pronounced dead at the scene just before noon Thursday. The exact cause of death remains pending an autopsy, the spokesman said.