The Grizzly Bear is a very common site along the coastal rivers of British Columbia during the salmon spawning season.

Although I took this photo with a regular 35mm camera and a regular lens, I was only 25 feet away from this young bore.

I had climbed up a small bank to get away from him as he worked his way down river in search of food. Moments before, I was standing in the water not more then 15 feet from that dead chum salmon.

I intended to stay on the bank and continue fishing after he left. This was spawning season for a number of salmon species and the bears were gorging themselves as part of a yearly ritual, building up as much fat as possible before winter hibernation.

Most of the grizzlies are willing to share the bounty with fly fishers, and are quite aware of their presence. A few old bores as well as some young bores will exhibit aggressive behaviour, so fly fishers must be aware, and use extreme caution.

If you encounter a bear, first identify if its a black bear ( Ursus americanus ) or a grizzly bear ( Ursus arctos ) and remember the rhyme: If the bear is black, fight back. If its a brown, fall down, brown of course refers to a grizzly bear. Never make eye contact with a bear, they may take eye contact as a challenge and may attack.

The grizzly bear has a pronounced shoulder hump, a concave or " dished " facial profile and much larger claws than the black bear. These features are not found on a black bear.

In the spring, be extra careful and watch for and avoid bear cubs, female bears will be extra protective of their cubs.

Fly fishers should always carry a bell on their packs, a whistle and talking loudly will announce to the bears of your presence. Bear spray is an important part of the fly fishers equipment in bear country. I do what is required to let bears know that I am present, but have always wondered if I could wait until an attacking bears is within 10 feet and then spray it in the face with pepper spray, or would I even have time to pull out the spray bottle, dislodge the safety pin and spray?

It is just not possible to practice this procedure and I feel that if the situation arose just how many fly fishers would fail, besides that just how pissed off would this grizzly bear be, now less then ten feet away.

I have had many encounters with both black bear and grizzly bears over the many years I have spent along the rivers of British Columbia, and each one is different and filled with wonder.

To me it is just seen as another known hazard us fly fishers must face in our pursuit of happiness.

by
Beg Red