Otis Fishing Not-A-Report for August 24, 2023: Because y’all look for an Otis post twice per day, we’re posting this Otis Fishing Not-A-Report today. 🙂 (Started this morning and just couldn’t get to it… sorry!)
There’ve been multiple “possible Otis” sightings on the Lower River the last couple of days. By my eye, none have been Otis (sorry, folks). The ones I’ve seen have been citing the “sheriff’s badge” mark as an Otis sighting, but the badge on this morning’s bear is on his left shoulder, where Otis has his No. 7. I was just saying as much when Elanya enters the chat and IDs Left Sheriff’s Badge Bear as 274 Overflow. So YAY! Overflow is back!!
Personally, I think Overflow is related to Otis, and he’s one of the four bears who make me double-take. 89 Backpack, 83 Wayne Brother, and 18 Humphrey are the others, so don’t feel badly, if you thought Overflow was Otis! Or you can feel badly, if you want — entirely up to you! lol
And fulfilling your craving to see Otis, if not live, at least lookin’ goooood, here’s a Brooks Falls snap of our boy from August 21, 2023. ♥
Bear cam images in this post are copyright National Park Service and/or Explore.org
don’t feel badly or feel badly it’s entirely up to you — simply classic Enjoy your take and observations, so glad I ran across the link. Props!
Thank you so much, Eileen! We do try to avoid sounding like we’re trying to tell them what to do. Thank you for finding our link!
I have been watching the bears fishing almost all day long for quite awhile. (I’ve been bed ridden) From what I see Otis is not catching very many fish at all at the falls. Your right there are several that look like him and I agree that they are related. They all have his white tipped ears. However I’m seeing where Otis’ age has become a factor when it comes to “his spot”. He likes to be in the far right corner against the shore where he stands and watches for fish. There is another bear that has claimed his spot who is related to him. Otis is forced to stay about 5 feet away below the other bear. Otis moves to “his spot” whenever the younger bear lets him. That bear loves to snorkel fish and is catching a lot. The last few weeks Jr has been eating most of its fish and let’s it go where Otis picks it up and eats it before it floats past him. I’ve yet to see Otis catch his own fish, he just watches Jr waiting for leftovers. Otis is having trouble getting around now and he gets tired faster standing, so he goes and naps on the bank. I’m not seeing him eating enough and he needs the fat to make it thru hibernation. I honestly believe he needs help feeding. I’m pretty sure this is the last year we will see him. Other bears are quick to dominate and try to fight him. They now see him lower in the bear ranks because of his age. I’ve been so upset watching all this happen. Last week he had been bitten in his left hind leg Butt quarters showing his flesh. If he doesn’t eat more, we won’t see him next year and it’s breaking my heart. I finally got up enough courage to find a place to make my thoughts and concerns known.
Otis has been catching more than enough of his own fish to gain weight. A bear only needs a couple of fish for daily needs and everything over that serves to gain weight for hibernation. This was confirmed by Mike Fitz, Explore’s resident naturalist, in one of the recent chats, plus we can clearly see Otis is gaining weight! Where we include a “total count” at the end of our Otis Fishing Reports, “fish” is the total number of whole fish Otis has caught and consumed. Despite that the fish run this year is more at typical levels than prior years (meaning all bears are getting fewer fish than the last two years’ record runs), Otis is doing very well.
Bears at Brooks have always vied for the best fishing spots, and the “Office” (the area you refer to against the wall) is one of those spaces. There’s nothing new about the competition. But Otis is a smart bear and can fish anywhere. If he’s not catching, he moves to another spot. He knows what he’s doing, and we have to trust him to know what he needs for survival.
As far as movement, two years ago, Otis was having trouble with a limp. He is actually more spry this year than the past two, in our opinion. In two years of following his every move to count fish, we’ve never seen him climb on rocks — and he is doing that nearly every appearance now, just like the younger bears! And if he’s not catching or there is competition, his time is better used sleeping.
There is no guarantee that any bear will return for future seasons. Both 503 and 812 are examples of that. They may have moved on or something unexpected may occur. Sure, there will be a time Otis doesn’t return, but we can’t predict when that will happen and certainly can’t be SURE of when it will happen.
Otis is doing great! He truly is. Yes, he’s older, but he is adaptable — he always has been. Bears are resilient, as well, and we choose to focus on the positive.
If you’re finding something on cams hard to watch, we suggest you take a break from viewing. There are many other cams which perhaps would not upset you.
We hope you’re feeling better soon.
Thank you for writing this. Well written and a great summary of Otis’s decline this year and also the way the other bears are aggressive with him. I’ve noticed the same things you have written. I didn’t know he was bitten though.
It is heartbreaking for me too. I love Otis. The other bears are just bears. Otis had personality. Otis is a legend. I hope he rallies back. But I have the same fears.
I’m glad you wrote this. It’s nice to know there are other people out there who love Otis like I do.
And also I am grateful for this otisfishing report website. Otherwise I wouldn’t know anything about Otis as I don’t watch the cams much now. But I want to know about Otis, good bad or indifferent.
There’s been no evidence Otis has any bite wounds that we’re aware, and he’s doing really great this year.
Conflicts are normal among the bears when one is displaying dominance. So nothing to worry about there.
And Otis is getting around better than 2021 and probably better than 2022. So not sure what we’re worried about there either.
Yes, he’s an older bear, but he’s getting on fine.
That’s a relief! Thank you for that.
Thank you so much for your response. Yes I did see where he got a bite on his left leg Butt area. He had left the falls for a little while that day and returned with his flesh and a hanging clump of hair showing. He sat in the water for long time after it happened. By the next day the wound looked better and within a few days you could barely see it. They are resilient. I haven’t spotted Otis since I wrote my first comment. I miss him. I’m telling myself he’s off fishing and eating somewhere else in the area. I don’t mean to butt into your information, I’ve just been worried. I’ve had to quit watching for him and started viewing the other cameras too.
I’ve fallen in love with these bears and leave the TV on all day listening to the river as it’s always calmed me. I hope to see Otis one last time before the Salmon are gone. He’s taken a small piece of my heart wherever he’s gone. I Love you Otis! Thank you all for having this page.
128 Grazer has a wound as you describe and has been fishing in the Far Pool a lot this year. We’ve seen no evidence of Otis having such a wound.
We miss him too!
Yes you are right. I noticed the same wound on Grazer the other day. It’s possible I mixed them up. If it was her, she was fishing in the “office” area with another bear. Is Grazer still with her grown up cubs fishing in the lower area where the bridges are?? I keep thinking that’s her but I get the mommas and cubs mixed up.
What breaks my heart the most is when the cubs die. It’s broke me into tears where I have to leave the bear videos for a short time. Just thinking about it now chokes me up.
Chunk, the one with the scar on his nose has not given up fishing yet. He’s so dedicated, I’ll see him first thing in the mornings and late into the night. I haven’t seen 747 the last two days. I think the climb is getting too hard for him. I don’t know who the fattest bear is this year, it seems close between Chunk and 747, I think his name is Walter? I haven’t seen Otis since August 22, I miss him and often think about him.
In watching them I can see just how intelligent they are. They do have feelings like love and at times compassion, just as anger and dominance. How much longer are the camera staying on? When do you shut them down for the winter??
Thank you to all those who make this experience of bear watching possible. It’s been a blessing to have a peek into their precious lives.
Yes, 128 was fishing in the Office. If you saw a leg wound, she is the only candidate we can think of.
Grazer separated from her cubs in the Spring. Any mamas you see with cubs aren’t her this year.
I think you mean 151 Walker. Yes, he’s a fat Bear too. Lots of candidates for Fat Bear Week!
We’re not sure when cams will shut down for winter. The Otis Fishing Report isn’t affiliated with Explore or Katmai National. We’re just fans like you with a love for Otis and counting fish.
Oh my Gosh what a happy day Guess who I’m watching. My knight in shining armor. Mr, Otis!!! It’s definitely him and I am so happy. I’ve missed that handsome face of his. Now I’m just wishing him so much luck getting fishies today. He looks a little thin I think, but he appears healthy. Happy days My Main man Otis is in the Office!!!
We think he looks good! When his face and forearms start to fatten up, he’s gaining well. And his face and forearms are definitely bigger than when he left for Summer Walkabout!
I actually got to see Otis eating a fish he caught during his all night fish out! I missed the trout episode he had, hopefully someone will post it on YouTube. I’ve noticed he doesn’t like to put his face in the water to scuba dive for fish fish. I don’t get how he “sees” them with his 28 yr old eyes. I haven’t seen him “swim fishing” in the lower area however he does wander and sleep down there. I agree that he’s put on some weight after his walkabout. He’s looking stronger and healthier. I’m worrying a lot less now. I sure do love this sweet old bear. Thank you for your response and comfort you give me when it comes to Otis.
Yes, he’s doing well and getting fat! You’re very welcome, and thank you for sharing your appreciation!
I’ll have to stop posting here. But…did Otis catch any fish??
There aren’t a lot at the Falls to catch this time of year, but he’s catching the odd fish here and there. He’s also fishing in the Lower River a lot, where spawned fish are plentiful. That area is vast and cams can only capture a tiny portion. We’re sure he’s eating there, and we’re just not seeing it on cams.