Otis Fishing Report for November 11, 2023: I *really* hate goodbyes, y’all, but the time has come for our final Otis Fishing Report of 2023. We heard that sob way down here in the EDT — please don’t cry. 🙂 It was a fabulous year with so many new memories and, most importantly for me and many of you, Otis was a part of it! That’s a reason to celebrate. ♥
It was July 26 that Otis marched right back into our hearts like he’s done for every year since Explore started bear cams (2012). He may have been a skinny thing, but his spirit was fully intact and on display.
On July 29, we got our first view of his mad Rock Climbing Skillz at Alice’s Restaurant. Had we realized this would be the first of many, we’d have added a counting column to the Magic Workbook. 😉
We got to see Otis in his Office — and his Cary Grant eyes hypnotizing all the lady bears (and lady chatters)!
Curled up for snoozles in his Bank Bunk. ♥
Glowing in the dark.
Enjoying fish (especially the wigglers).
And enjoying sticks.
Fishing with Grazer (also known as chitter chatter).
And his grumpy ol’ pal 747.
Surfing.
Meandering.
Goofy Otis.
Fall Otis.
In from the mist.
And Otis on the Rocks.
We saw Otis sploot and sprint, be the perfect gentlebear to his lady friends with cubbies, show us his best Downward Bear yoga, defend against pirates, going up the Fish Ladder and down the Fish Ladder (although not quite enough times down haha), and show 151 Hot Walker he ain’t no silly ol’ bear (except when he wants to be a silly ol’ bear). Heck, the risque ol’ boy even gave us his best Full Monty on Underwater Cam!
We had a LOT of Otis moments. Some ordinary, some extraordinary, some funny, some breathtaking, fishy, snoozly, the runs (literal and figurative lol), meanders, big fish and little — even an Olympian moment. And after all that’s transpired, this is how I’ll remember him. ♥
As we write this, Otis was last seen on cams November 4, and for those of you who keep snaps of our boy’s last day, here’s my “official” snap.
Because this is technically our last view of him. The bad news is he’s 98-percent camouflaged; the good news is that he’s eating!
And now it’s time to snoozle. 🙂 Wherever you watch and whatever you believe, shoot up a prayer, a wish, or a little Magic Otis Dust and good energy for his return to us in 2024 — June, please, Otis, and not July — in good health and spirits. ♥
Thank you, again, Explore and chatters… Until next year, Wishes for Fishes and Happy Hibernation, everyone!
YouTube of Otis’ 2023 return is courtesy of Buddy’s Mom. 🙂
P.S. This is our last Report, but we’ll be posting again — the year’s fish counts, maybe with a lil commentary, probably tomorrow. 🙂
Bear cam images in this post are copyright National Park Service and/or Explore.org
Many many thanks for all you do to keep us updated on Otis. And many many thanks for the beautiful photos you post of our beloved friend. ❤
I believe that Otis can feel all the love that surrounds him and it will keep him safe and healthy and warm. And I believe we will all be celebrating in June ’24 when The King of Katmai returns. God Bless Otis
And may all the bears of Katmai have a cozy warm den where they can snoozle away till we meet again in 2024. Blessings
You are so welcome, Trish! I believe Otis can feel our love too, and I’m looking forward to his and everybears’ return! June, Otis… JUNE.
Thank you so much! Til next summer……
You’re welcome! See you soon!
Thank you for the joy, laughs and happy tears! You put in so much care and thought into these daily reports. I (and so many others!) looked forward to these everyday and relived those happy moments. Thank you for turning the spotlight on this special, beautiful bear! Looking forward to next year already!
You’re very welcome, and please know that we appreciate your appreciation! Happy Hibernation!
I am fairly new here but I love the photos, reports and videos. Otis and the other bears are God’s beautiful creatures. Thank you for sharing these photos, reports and videos
You’re very welcome, Terri! Thank you for visiting and your comment!
Dear Nature,
Truly beautiful summary of Otis. Thank you for all your reports & photos. Until next year…
Lorraine
You’re so welcome, Lorraine! Until we meet again…
Thank you so much for the retrospective! Keeping my fingers crossed for an Otis early return in 2024
You’re very welcome! Fingers and paws are crossed!
I cannot tell you how much I (and my family) enjoyed your blog. I echo the previous comments. I love hearing about our beloved Otis and I am so happy we saw him with spring in his step late in the season. Let’s hope for a record early return and a fantastic salmon run for all of the bears, especially dear Otis.
You’re so welcome, and I thank you for your sweet comment!
Throwing Magic Otis Dust into the air as we speak! ✨
Thank you for all your posts and dedication for Otis this year! Truly a joy to read each and every day. Your humor kept me going as well, I appreciate it!
Aw, you’re welcome, Stephanie, and thank you for your nice comment!
I read the report. It became a little sad, I don’t like to say goodbye either. I want to ask: will you participate in the bear holidays? I’ll see you again, won’t I? Thank you so much for your warm reports. I’ve been watching cameras for two years, but only this year I found out that there is your chat with reports about Otis fishing. It’s so cool, I found out about it in September. And I’ve already started looking in here all the time. I believe that the love of many people helps Otis to come back to us again and again. I believe that everything happens in the world not by chance, I believe in the spiritual connection between those we love. And I believe that next year, 2024, Otis will come to Brooks Falls again. Preferably in June. I am sending prayers to the universe. Angelica❤️
Awww, yes, Angelica — we will see each other again! ❤️
I’m going to try to get the 2021 and 2022 posts I made on Explore over here to the website, and I’m going to participate in Explore chat. Maybe not daily, but I’ll be there. I don’t have many snaps of other bears to participate in the Bear Celebrations, but I’ll be around, and I hope you will be too!
I believe our love will bring Otis back too — healthy and eager for wigglers!
Thank you for your support this season and kind comments. Happy Hibernation to you! ❤️
Thank you for your labor of love. Looking forward to next June. Until then sweet snoozles.
You’re very welcome! Sweet Snoozles and Happy Hibernation!!
Dear Nature,
I found your report this year after watching the cameras for the past few years. Otis is my favorite and always will be. Your reporting, whether Otis was seen or not, always brings a smile. You have a gift of spreading cheerful, and always humorous, comments like no other. Thank you for the tremendous task you have taken on. There is no doubt it is a labor of love for you and I’m counting on reading it for many years to come!
What a sweet comment! Thank you, Rhonda! You’re very welcome, and I look forward to more seasons, as well!
Thank you so much for your really wonderful site! I really enjoyed reading all the entries and the photographs.
You’re very welcome, and thank you so much for your kind words!
Thank you so much for these reports. Sometimes between work, life admin and the time difference with New Zealand, I didn’t get onto the cams as much as I would have liked and these reports gave me updates. I cannot believe how one bear and his exploits can be so endearing. And yet they are and he is. I’m off to Brooks next year and will wake up on my 50th birthday there. I do so hope to share that day with views of our beloved Otis.
Happy hibernation to you and hopefully a long, hot summer for us!
Oh, what a fabulous birthday that will be!! Good for you!
I’m so glad to help fill the gap for you. Thank you for the good wishes, and here’s hoping your summer is warm and wonderful!