INDEPENDENCE, Ore. -- Authorities searched all night Sunday and into Monday morning for two brothers who went missing while fishing Sunday along the Willamette River in Independence.

Family members said Alvin Troub, 20, and his eight-year-old brother, Michael Runyon were very close and always looking out for one another.

Michael has autism and would be very scared, his mother, Mary Troub told KGW. Her two sons were both wearing dark-colored hoodie sweatshirts and jeans, and both fish off the shore into the Willamette “all the time,” she said.

A staging area was set up at the north end of Riverview Park in Independence and area fishermen were being questioned. But so far, no one has reported seeing either of the boys.

Around 2 p.m. Sunday, the boys' grandfather dropped them off at Riverview Park to go fishing. When he returned two hours later as planned to pick up the two young men, they were nowhere to be found.

 Slideshow: Photos of brothers

Family members quickly reported them missing.

Fishing poles and equipment used by the young men were located, but no signs of them. Family members said that was very odd.

"We just can't figure it out, Mary [the boys' mom] was thinking someone may have taken the boys, but Alvin is such a big boy," said their aunt, Laurie Runyon. "Alvin takes really good care of his fishing poles. I don't know what's going on.”

Family members hoped someone fishing in the area Sunday saw something and can help them find the two young men.

Monday, searchers brought in boats to help look for the boys and dogs, too. Authorities said the Willamette River was running very high and there were concerns that the boys' may have gone into the water.