Otis Fishing Report for October 5-6, 2023: In lieu of our October 5 UPDATE Report, we posted our Otis Special Fat Bear Report yesterday. Thank you — all of you — so much for the love expressed over that post! I’m humbled and appreciate your appreciation so very much. ♥ If we missed responding to your comment (here or Explore), it wasn’t intentional — the sheer number of sweet comments was a lil overwhelming.
For the October 5 Fishing Report UPDATE, Otis was on cams really just a few minutes, and we counted 4 DOAs before he left Up the Fish Ladder at 11:04 a.m. Katmai time. After that and through midnight, he wasn’t confirmed on cams. A couple of Who Bears in the middle of the night on the River, and Otis would neither confirm nor deny any were him. š
Here’s Otis heading toward the Fish Ladder October 5 on Brooks Falls cam.
And we believe this is his last sighting on cam, as of this writing. Also Brooks Falls cam.
About yesterday’s Fat Bear Week vote, our boy Otis, who is oblivious to such nonsense as voting on a brightly colored screen of pixels for a bear who eats fish and, quite frankly, thinks it’s all nonsensical, didn’t win his match. Boo. But what he won is so much better for humankind and Earth: The awareness of more people to the plight of bears and the importance of salmon as a keystone species (wherever they live — not just Alaska). THAT is the point, and if Otis were to be quoted, he would likely say “Fat Bear, Fat Schmearā¦ GET OFF MY LAWN! Oh, and would you kindly point me to the salmon buffet?” š
For the October 6 Fishing Report, Otis wasn’t seen on cams yesterday, as far as we can tell, so there is no fish count for October 6. Again, boo. But we’re sure that, wherever he is, he’s eating! Why? Because that’s what Otis does, adaptable, persevering bear that he is!
As cams are going into hibernation mode, we have less opportunity to see Otis. That, of course, means less fish to count and that the Otis Fishing Report won’t have much to report. I know that can seem sad, but you can revisit this year’s reports and we’re going to try find time to upload the 2021 and 2022 reports, such as they were in the beginning, to OtisFishingReport.com. So that’s something. š We’ll try to post something daily until cams go dark.
Until we meet again, sending Wishes for Fishes and a Super Duper Sunshiny Day to keep those cams going. ♥
Bear cam images in this post are copyright National Park Service and/or Explore.org
I look forward to these reports each day, they bring me many smiles . Thank you for the photos of Otis on the rocks. Wish those photos had been used as his fat bear contest pictures. .
Look forward to seeing the Otis Reports from previous years.
Happy Octobear!
Thank you for your nice note!
I think Katmai and Explore probably want to use high-res images for promotional purposes, and so they don’t use cam images.
Regardless, so long as Otis eats, that’s what’s important.
Happy October to you as well!
Hello Grandma (I wish I knew your name),
My husband and me couldnāt be more proud of what you wrote about Otis all along, and the sustainable eco system as well. What made me cried uncontrollably for half an hour after reading your reports of yesterday and today is because your tiredless effort to advocate the plain truth about what character Bear Otis has. This has and will make him the Champion of all times! We just canāt say THANK YOU ENOUGH for your effort!!!
In late August, we made a big trip to Brooks Falls. In our hearts we were HOPING to see our favourite Bear Otis. We ended up seeing Gully, Pepper, 910 & her cub & her Niece.
I have a dream – one day you and us would magically happen to show up on a platform at Brooks Falls watching Otis fishing. We would be left speechless as we already have the same thinking and opinion about this Bravest creature in this world of all times!
Thank you very kindly for everything you do for King Otis!
Yours sincerely,
Tina and Ben
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Oh my. I’ve recieved hundreds of comments this season between the Explore site and this one, and this is absolutely in the top 3 unexpected, humbling, and favorite of them all. ā¤ļø Thank you so very, very much for taking the time to express your gratitude.
Whenever I feel like it’s too much (I’m a team of one), I look back at these comments and realize the difference I’m making and the joy I’m bringing. So, thank YOU.
When I head to Katmai, I’ll be sure to let you know, Tina and Ben. Again, thank you for your heartfelt message. ā¤ļø
Sounds great Grandma! Pls do let us know. We sincerely look forward to making it happen!
I was very close to my Grandma (in fact even closer to her than to my Mom). As you wrote, your Grand Daughter would likely be told about you had to be excused to count fish. Pls keep all these feedbacks from your Fans to show her. I am certain that she would be so proud of your perseverance to continue with the task you have set out to do, as well as your exceptional kindness and generosity to make other peopleās day everyday for several months! Pls print and keep all your feedbacks/ comments for her!!! She would be thankful you did.
I am sending you and your Family wishes for health and happiness!
Tina and Ben
Vancouver, BC, Canada
My daughter has also talked about Otis’ story for telling to my granddaughter. Great idea to keep the comments too!
Send you well wishes also! Thank you again.
Thank you so much for your daily reports. The time you spend on these and cam viewing is astounding! What dedication! They are so amusing and really appreciated. And I always smile at your “sending wishes for fishes” sign off. Its my first year watching cams and Otis has stolen my heart!
You’re very welcome! Yes, it’s a lot of time, but then these comments make me realize that they make a difference. It may be someone learns of the cams or bears or that they learn something about salmon as a keystone species (or even what a keystone species is) or maybe they’re just having a bad day and the Reports put a smile on their face. That keeps me going.
So thank YOU for taking the time to comment! And for the compliment too.