Catoctin Mountain Black Bear
Andrew Sarcinello
Imagine how i felt looking up while walking the bank and out of the corner of my eye seeing a black shape moving down the opposite bank in my direction! I took a quick glance around and did not see any cubs and my nerves calmed a bit. The bear stopped on a rock across from me, looking into the water. I don't know if the bear had seen me before then or not as I was moving slowly and quietly. After a couple seconds it looked up at me, so I yelled once and it turned and ran up the hill and didn't look back.
The entire encounter probably lasted 10-15 seconds but it was one of the coolest moments I have had streamside. The bear was no more than 30 feet away when I scared it off. I had never seen one from outside of my car before. Once the adrenaline wore off I kept fishing and did not see it again.
Really don't think the bear posed any threat but I know a bunch of you guys fish up that way so wanted to share. Just be aware of your surroundings when fishing up there. Before that encounter, the thought of running into a bear in that area never crossed my mind. I was always totally focused on the fishing, and between that and the noise of the water, a bear could have walked right up behind me and I would have had no clue.
In hindsight I should have taken a pic or two, but in the moment that bear was too close for comfort. Was probably about 3 ft high at the shoulders or a little less, not scary big but not an animal to mess with either!
