We requested our resident bear how he discovered to fish, what his favourite approach is—and whether or not it is actually as laborious as he makes it look.
Ask a Bear (Photograph: Rob Sawyer)
Printed April 20, 2026 05:05AM
You’ve received questions; the bear has solutions. Bear Month 2026 is right here, and that signifies that our resident bruin recommendation columnist is as soon as once more fielding your queries about bear biology, security, and extra. Learn on for the most recent, or take a look at the remainder of our Bear Month tales.
Q: How do you fish with out opposable thumbs—and is it actually as laborious as you make it look?
A: You realize what, human, I don’t recognize your tone. I could not get pleasure from a rod and reel, however I assure I’ve a significantly better every day catch price than you do. Massive, wholesome (and dare I say good-looking) grownup grizzlies comparable to myself usually land round 30 fish per day. I’d prefer to see you try this together with your flimsy fly rod. Higher but, we normally eat all these fish in a single day, too. Dare to compete? I assumed not.
Usually, I’d withhold my strategies, seeing as they’re household secrets and techniques. But it surely appears you’re in dire want of an schooling, so buckle up. Grizzly bears have an enormous vary of fishing methodologies—every little thing from the ol’ sit-and-wait, to plodding round snorkeling, to belly-flopping on high of fish, to diving to the underside of a stream to catch an particularly juicy quantity. Much less honorable bears (clearly not me) will generally steal fish from others, whereas extra sort and beneficiant bears (additionally not me—what do I seem like, a sucker?) will share their catch with friends.
I wasn’t kidding after I advised you these had been household secrets and techniques. Most bears begin studying tips on how to fish from their moms of their first autumn. That’s proper—none of that is instinctual. We needed to research up the old style means. My siblings and I had been on the river as early as July to apply pinning fish to the underside of the river or slapping them out of the water. We will rotate between a handful of various strategies relying on the circumstances. Fairly spectacular, if I do say so myself.
We’re polymaths as a result of our mom toiled tirelessly over our schooling—a profit you clearly by no means had in case your manners are any indication. These items take time to be taught, which is among the purpose grizzles spend greater than two years with their moms, versus a black bear’s mere 12 to 18 months. By the top of that tutelage, we cannot solely establish greater than 200 meals sources, however we’re additionally champion anglers. Effectively, most of us anyway.
I’ve cseen lesser bears show a definite lack of mastery by myself river. I as soon as noticed a fats griz ready open-mouthed on the high of a brief cascade—solely to have a full-grown salmon slap him within the face. I’ve additionally seen bears attempt attempt to shift place, slip, and fall ass-over-teakettle down the falls. (Don’t fear, with as a lot blubber as these guys have packed into their dump vehicles, they’re normally tremendous.)
So, sure, for a few of my ursine compatriots, opposable thumbs would most likely assist. As for me? I believe I’m doing simply tremendous, thanks very a lot.
