August 20, 2023
Otis Fishing Report Part II

Otis Fishing Report for August 20, 2023, Part II: Continued from Part I… A short bit later on Brooks Falls Low cam, Otis gets his first post-nap FISH! He anticipates Walker coming for it, and snatches it out of the water as he turns to trot away. (Remember, it’s Otis, so “run” is reserved for special occasions!)

As a wise ol’ bear would be, Otis was right to get a head start! We’re laughing at his body language here as Walker comes splashing through the River after that fish — Otis knows when hold ’em, fold ’em, and RUN! In the midst of his dining experience, Otis picks up his half-eaten entrée and runs for it! Now Otis runs!

Our laughter turns, suddenly to OMG — Walker is ON OTIS! Viewers are gasping! The altercation is real, as both end up on their hind legs, and Walker backs Otis up into his Bank Bunk! Then realizing they’ve lost the fish between them, Walker struts away, confident he won. Cam viewers sigh in relief. Otis walks the other way, sniffing for the half fish he knows would’ve floated down River. Relief.

And JUST like a horror movie where you finally remembered to breathe, think everything is fine now, and turn to your partner and say “Holy cow, that scared the SH-“

-BAM-

Your half-finished sentenced is stopped in its tracks, as Walker comes bolting at Otis AGAIN! Otis backs off, and Walker turns away again. Viewers are holding their collective breath again (ask me how I know!).

Otis continues looking for that Darned Fish. We know it’s around here somewhere. Now where did I leave it?

Pulse rates start to return to normal… but Brooks Falls cam is zoomed, and we don’t know where Walker is… Otis hunts that Darned Fish.

Now let’s get this part out of the way: Otis is an old bear, and some think that’s a handicap, but Otis Fans know that’s a Super Power. Otis knows how the waters flow, and he sniffed that Darned Fish right out of the River.

And he ate it. ♥ Betting that was the best-tasting salmon of Otis’ season so far! (I know *I* enjoyed it!)

Quite possibly the best moment of all: Walker comes back a third time. Otis has finished that fish and passes by Walker like it never even happened, head held high, and sniffing the bright summer afternoon. Walker sniffs and knows there used to be a salmon here. Bwahahaha! And now we can breathe. 😉

And after that harrowing story, a little levity brought to you by JG, Bear IDer Extraordinaire. Otis and a Boop. 🙂

And then Otis returns to his Office. To inspect fish, of course. 🙂

This seems like a good place to end for the day with a total count of 13 Fish + 1 Hahahahaha Walker You Didn’t Get it Fish for a total of 14 Fish!

We’ll update the through-midnight count tomorrow, and until then wishes for fishes and no more breath-holding experiences today! ♥

Bear cam images in this post are copyright National Park Service and/or Explore.org