Otis Fishing Report for September 24, 2023: It’s a new calendar day in Katmai as the clock strikes midnight, and there are a handful of hungry (we presume) meandering bears on the River.
Just before 7:00 a.m. Katmai time, we see a very Otis-like bear doing Otis-like things. We really want to call him Otis, but gosh… the struggle is real, folks! So we put it to a vote in chat, and y’all have spoken — it was Otis! Munching Otis, we’re happy to report!
Other times it’s not the darkness, but angles that just frustrate us to the point of laughter… Otis behind fallen tree is one such time. It would be so much easier if we hooked Otis up with a Go Pro. I’ll buy it — who wants to volunteer to gift it to our boy? 😀
It’s an hour and half or so later when we see Otis again on the River. He’s chomping on this thing a long time, and we’re calling it a DOA, but it must’ve been a big one, and it was immediately followed by another and another!
Otis Meander Fishes a bit near the tall grasses and makes his way into the Fish Cache. He gets several two-bite DOAs and then POUNCE!
This one’s got a *mighty* wiggle, and Alice stands guard to ensure it doesn’t become the One That Got Away.
And, alas, Salmon Nirvana — the Fresh Catch that would be Breakfish of Fat Bear Champions!
Otis let’s his freshly finished fish digest a minute and then continues on his merry meander way behind the tall grasses again and is off cams for a bit. (A good thing because that laundry ain’t gonna do itself and the Royal Fish Counter isn’t the same as an Emperor!)
About 11:15 a.m., we spy a bear booty that could belong to our boy. Cams go wide (enough to capture a Fat Bear), and there he is nibbling on a snack in front of the high grasses! He Meander Fishes his way toward the Fish Cache, picking up a two-bite DOA on his way, and pauses to consider his options (probably).
He trots a few steps and gets a (guessing) 10-bite DOA and ever so delicately eats from his paw in that adorable way Otis does. 🙂
Otis hangs out here in what we’ve dubbed the Salmon Cache for more than an hour with his buddy — possibly 89 Backpack — peacefully, though enviously (probably) when his buddy caught this wiggler.
Otis wanders off and we’re left to wonder where he headed… for nearly 2 hours. Thankfully, we’re addicted enough to know that one cam is just never enough. We always have Brooks Falls cam up! And what round head do we spy coming around the corner here? None other than late-season Fat Otis!
Easy does it. Biding his time. Slow and steady. Meandering. Whatever the label, Otis is taking his sweet time checking all the nooks and crannies on his way to his Office (probably). Steady as he goes, Otis greets his loyal sentry, Alice, continuing toward the Falls.
He waves to the servers at Alice’s Restaurant and as he gets to the Far Path, he pauses. Hmmm… what’s that aroma in the air? Maybe a dose of 856 with a hint of 32 Chunk? Perhaps there are fish elsewhere requiring inspection.
Otis turns around heads across the River toward the Sandbar. He sniffs and licks the air. He watches the water. FISH! It didn’t have a lot of life left in it, folks, but we’re pretty sure you’d come find us if we didn’t call this one! 😉
Our boy assumes the Downward Bear position and commences consumption. He’s obviously enjoying this, perhaps more so because the “aroma in the air” bears aren’t catching any (in this moment).
He starts to walk around the Sandbar and, well, looky here — another FISH! Call us delusional, if you must, but we’re sure we saw it wiggle! Plus it ate like a fish. 😉
Very carefully, Otis walks along the Near Bank, snacking along the way. He returns to the Sandbar with hopes of more (less than) fresh fish. He checks out the spaces between the rocks and whatnots near the Riffles. Finding none, he turns around and heads toward the Near Bank again.
Brooks Falls cam pans back to the Office (and we panic!). Just kidding, says the CamOp with a sense of humor, as the cam pans back to the Platform, and Otis walks off the back side of it. We’re thinking snoozles, but ya never know with this guy — he’s full of surprises this year!
And with that, we’re totaling the fish count from midnight to about 2:30 p.m. Katmai time at 3 Fish + 26 DOAs + 1 Scrap!
Oh, but why a “scrap,” right? It was at the Falls, and for tradition’s sake, those are scraps. River is DOAs. Unless it’s another bear’s discard. Because we had to make some rules. Lol
Until tomorrow, sending Wishes for Fishes and Sweet Salmon Snoozles! ♥
P.S. It looks like 83 Wayne Brother is back as of today! And we failed to mention 856 yesterday (no slight intended, Big Guy)!
Bonus Content
If you think I thought “Otis doesn’t periscope all that much” right before Otis periscoped half way down the River, you’re right. 😉 As captured by SuspectCelery, yup. True story!
Bear cam images in this post are copyright National Park Service and/or Explore.org
Otis is looking great! He’s gone from a wasted near carcass to a buff older gent with luxurious fur. I hope he’s strong enough to make it through another winter- that would be a treat.
Yes, we agree! He’s looking wonderful! 🙂
I just found these Otis fish reports. I giggle and love them and they made my day. I hope they continue…something about how his meandering went today is yes addictive, and as much fun as watching him nap! Haha. What joy that noble bear selflessly brings us happy voyeurs. Thank you Katmai Natl PARK and explore.org!
Yes, we love Katmai and Explore too! ♥ Just FYI, we’re not affiliated — we just love Otis!