Albert Marshall, a non-swimmer from Tongland, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, went missing yesterday morning.
My Marshall was swept out to sea by a wave as he reached out to gaff a conger eel whilst fishing from the rocks at a local beauty spot.
Hopes were fading today (Monday) as the search was resumed for the 44 year old who was fishing with a friend.
The Solway centre manager for HM Coastguard, Tony Wood, said it was a combination of gaffing the eel and the wave that seemed to have caused the accident.
He said there appeared to be little hope of finding the angler alive.
Mr Wood said: “Albert had gaffed a conger eel. He was turning to climb back off the rocks and was hit by the wave and immediately washed off the rocks and under the water.
“Apart from his waders and cap being recovered within 45 minutes of him entering the water, nothing else was seen.”
“He is a non-swimmer and was washed off rocks into heavy seas,” Mr Woods added.
“The chances of finding him alive have almost faded.”
A coastguard unit was carrying out a three-hour search in the area of Foxes Snout, Ross Bay, this morning, then a second search of three miles of coastline involving coastguard rescue teams, police mountain rescue teams and search dogs is due to start at 5pm.
Lifeboat crews, coastguard search teams and a Royal Navy helicopter took part in an extensive nine-hour search yesterday.
