A SAD NOTE FOR TUESDAY- Wade Angler Drowns at Rollover
By Ed Snyder/Outdoors

July 31, 2012- Rollover Pass, Gilchrist, TX.

Riley Emick, 24, of Pearland TX, was wade fishing at Rollover Pass, near Gilchrist TX, around 8:30am Tuesday morning when he suddenly was caught up in a strong tidal current in the surf.

Emick�s fishing buddy, Curtis Kelly , also from Pearland, spotted Riley struggling about 400yds offshore waving his fishing rod yelling for help!

Curtis immediately called 911 and hurriedly reported the emergency to the Galveston County Sheriffs dept and explained what was happening. The Sheriffs dept then contacted the Crystal Beach Fire Dept and the U.S. Coast Guard about the emergency, with all soon arriving on the scene.

A Coast Guard helicopter soon arrived over the area and began searching for the Riley but soon found the body of Emick instead. The sheriffs dept then used an emergency Seadoo to recover the body around 10:am.

It�s very unfortunate to have someone visit here at Rollover Pass to enjoy the excellent fishing we have here only to drown when enjoying it. An incident that was almost similar to what occurred here today, but had a different outcome.

That incident involved two anglers from Huntsville TX, with one being rescued by the other. But this was due to an experienced angler swimming into the dangerous current to help his buddy survive.

�Go with the flow, that buddy told his struggling friend, Go with the flow and don�t fight the current! Then he was able to guide his friend towards shore and out of danger. Both anglers survived that ordeal and are still alive today to enjoy fishing at Rollover Pass.

Wear a life vest my friends, wear a life vest when wade fishing these dangerous currents and we�ll never again have to recover the body of your loved ones.
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From Miss Nancy's Facebook page.

Very sad news, Thanks for posting the story to us. It hopefully will save others from the serious dangers for anglers on the coast.
I will be in San Luis pass in Oct. and will be very careful upon this news
RIP Riley I will remember of you when I think of being safe from now on in the surf.

Chas

Media confirmed he was 200 yards offshore wading too close to the Pass current. I know Bolivar has a shallow beach but wading 200 yards offshore?

The surf can sweep you away in an instant. I try to wear a PFD in the surf any time i go deeper than my waist

So Sad to read this.

This is very sad.Prayers for the family.
"Media confirmed he was wading 200 yards from shore."
The Media wasnt there to confirm it.They arrived after the drowning.I think his partner said that was the last time he saw him yelling for help.He was swimming by then,not wading.