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BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
Anthony "Tony" Rabesca went missing July 7 after failing to return from checking his fishing nets at a traditional fishing spot frequented by his family on the Frank Channel.

Timothee Caisse, Rabesca's brother-in-law, said the missing man's canoe was found after it drifted to shore near the north arm of the channel but there were no other signs that Rabesca had made it to shore as well.

Caisse said the boat had fish in the bottom and six inches of water, indicating that Caisse had at least made it to his fishing nets but may have tipped out of the canoe in the process.

"Tony could swim," Caisse said.

"But that's a very treacherous stretch at the narrows there at the Frank Channel. There are a lot of rocks, anything could have happened ... We're not sure what to expect."

Caisse said Rabesca was not "technologically savvy" and never carried a GPS or communication device with him on the land.

As of Thursday, Caisse said there were between 18 and 20 boats on the river and the community is doing all they can to find him.

He said one of the hardest parts is waiting and not knowing what has happened.

"Tony was a good man," said Caisse

"He's been my brother-in-law for 20 some years and we're hoping for the best.

"It's hard on everybody. It's hard on the whole family."

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