Otis Fishing Report UPDATE for August 21, 2023: Otis left for snoozles at 3:38 p.m. Katmai time yesterday, and that’s where we pick up today. At 7:30 p.m., Otis appears at the Far Path. He assesses the Falls traffic and sees a Bear Jam. Then without even getting his feet wet, he turns, and walks back up the Far Path.
Just before 8:00 p.m., Otis appears at the Office Corner. He pauses. He decides to bite the bullet and thread that needle toward the Boulder and between the two dominant bears in attendance. He looks over at 151 Walker on the Conveyor. He looks over at 128 Grazer in the Office. Yes, one is a lady bear, but do not underestimate Ms. Grazer.
As The Beach Boys’ Surfin’ USA kicks up at a bushy bushy blonde hairdo… Otis proves to us that he has not been going for naps all this time when he’s off cam — he’s leveling up his mad Rock Climbing skillz and perhaps taking surfing lessons on the side (old bear, new tricks!)! This is quite an unusual move for Otis, and again, the collective GASP of chatters reverberates around the World. Brooks Falls cam GIF captured by SuspectCelery.
Walker looks on in awe and decides this is sufficient toll paid and allows Otis to pass uneventfully. Chatters sigh in relief, glad to see he has the agility and steel to make the climb and that he gets to the other side safely.
Walker, meanwhile, eyes that rock, wondering whether or not he’ll fit up there.
Seeing no fish or perhaps he doesn’t like the smell of Walker’s breath, Otis treks the other way. He does so gingerly, and we know some of you are thinking that’s because he’s an elder bear. But we assert his wisdom is the reason — no quick movements keeps him safe from both Walker or Grazer biting his rump. 😉
Walker shifts closer to the Boulder, and Otis goes to the Conveyor. And we know what that means! Walker wants the Conveyor. He approaches Otis with his fish breath to ward him off. Otis returns the favor with more gusto.
Otis hangs out in the Far Pool trying various fishing spots, including the Surfing Rock. Twice in one session now, and we have to ask — is any bear known to actually fish there? Our boy doesn’t get any fish up there, but he stays up for 45 minutes! Then he steps down a bit, and tries again. Love the innovation!
Funny sidebar: Grazer has been in the Office and Walker hasn’t gotten anywhere near it. She catches a fish and takes it around the corner to eat — and now Walker hits the Office for a minute — to smell the scent of her perfume, no doubt. 😉
Back to Otis. He tries the Surfing Rock a few more times, gets the Office for a minute, and pauses at the corner near the Office. He picks up a morsel too small to be called a “Scrap.”
About 10:00 p.m., Walker goes for a stroll, walking past Otis and not giving him a second glance. Grazer moves to the Conveyor, and Otis takes his Office. Walker returns. He tries the Boulder and then takes the Conveyor from Grazer. So, of course, Grazer goes to chitter chatter at Otis. He puts up a tiny little fight and then moves to Wallflower’s Wall. The fish are absent. Patience is, surprisingly, present.
As darkness falls on Katmai, they remain in their positions. The fish remain absent. At 10:45 p.m., Otis decides his time might be better spent at Alice’s, and he walks off Brooks Falls cam. We catch up with him on Riffles cam, and it looks like may have walked up the Far Path.
An hour later, Otis returns, and he catches no additional fish for today’s calendar. So this is where we close for August 21, with the total count, midnight to midnight, remaining at 11 Fish + 1 Epic 3/4 Fish High-Grade + 1 Scrap!
Until later, sending wishes for fishes and a sunshiny day! ♥
Bonus GIF by SuspectCelery: Grazer sneaks a peak at… well… we’ll just leave it there. 😉
Bear cam images in this post are copyright National Park Service and/or Explore.org
