An angler drowned in the Watauga River on Monday morning after falling overboard when his kayak capsized. The victim was not wearing a personal flotation device.
According to TWRA wildlife officers, 31-year-old Brandon Nave, of Watauga, Tn., and another male kayaker were fishing in separate kayaks around 9 a.m. when both overturned in rough water about a half mile below Wilbur Dam. The other kayaker was able to make it to shore and call 911.
The missing angler’s body was recovered by Carter County Rescue and the Carter County Sheriff's Office around 10:10 a.m.
This marks the 15th boating-related fatality of the year.