Russian River- Day 4, BEARS!!!!

4 am.  They'll STILL be asleep when we get back from fishing!

Hooray for telephoto lenses!  What an amazing morning THIS was!!! 
Up early once again, Miles and I took on the nasty and congested "top of the sanctuary".  This tends to be the spot above where those bastard fish lay protected and waiting for their chance to dash up stream.  It's usually a bottleneck of fisherfolk, but we got there early enough to get decent spots.  But, of course, not a lot of fish coming up.  At least the people we fished next to where all very friendly and courteous.  One of my clients from work actually appeared on the bank across from where we were fishing and it was fun to bitch about lack of fish back and forth to each other. 
And then that humongous Grizzly sow and her cubs appeared.  Stealthily and almost soundlessly through the brush behind us and into the river.  Thanks the gawds that the people on the opposite bank saw them and yelled out.  The family of 3 headed up the river a bit and then crossed, engaging in some bear-like shenanigans-diving under water to find salmon carcases, gnawing on tree stumps and learning to share. We were all quickly dispatched further up the river when mama and cubs came back down river and crossed  again where we were fishing.  Miles had caught a nice red and we had to leave it sitting there in the water on it;'s leader as the bears approached.  We were sure they would find it and happily imbibe...  Man, was Miles bummed!  We stood watching them and taking photos as they got closer and closer to our fish.  Surprisingly, the old dead carcases seemed more appealing to the bears and they just bypassed Miles's fresh red altogether!  They were soon far enough away that we had our spots back in the river.  It was an awesome experience standing there in the rushing water, feeling it's strength, waiting for salmon, all while watching 3 grizzly bears go about their day. UNreal....

The rest of the day brought us heat and sun, fun, and more friends joining our camp.

FISHING SPOT:  Top of the sanctuary

FISH: 1 red, 1 trout

WEATHER:  Overcast in morning, GLORIOUS clear blue sky the rest of the day

DINNER:  Seafood night...halibut with lemon pesto, pan fried trout, coconut curry seafood stew-shrimp, calamari, muscels, clams, halibut....

Miles in action and one of my clients fishing the opposite side!

~sniff, sniff....mmmm fish tail!!!!

Omm nom nom nom!

Fishing and bear watching

A very alert eagle enjoying a salmon breakfast

Willa's Lego rendition on the Enterprise

OMG.  Naners stuffed with Peanut Butter Cups and marshmellows, then roasted by the fire!

Jack's ALIVE!

Banana boats gettin' melty!