The primary time I heard in regards to the Altamaha-ha, I used to be driving by way of McIntosh County, Georgia, on my means again to Louisiana. My truck was loaded with fishing gear, and I used to be on my means house to Louisiana. I noticed a roadside billboard with an illustration of what seemed like a sea serpent. The locals name it “Altie” for brief, and after chatting with a gasoline station attendant who swore his cousin had seen it twice, I used to be hooked on studying extra about this lesser-known aquatic cryptid.
The Altamaha-ha has been a part of southeastern Georgia folklore since nicely earlier than European settlement. The legend originated with the Decrease Muscogee Creek Tribe, who informed tales of a large snake-like creature that hissed and bellowed within the Altamaha River. When Scottish Highlanders established the settlement of New Inverness (now Darien) in 1736, they introduced their very own familiarity with lake monsters, having come from close to Loch Ness. Humorous how these Scottish people all the time appear to carry their monsters with them wherever they go!
Bodily Description and Alleged Conduct
Most experiences describe Altamaha-ha as 10-30 ft lengthy with a sturgeon-like physique that includes a bony ridge alongside its again. It has entrance flippers however no again limbs, and swims like a dolphin or porpoise. Its head resembles a crocodile’s, with massive eyes and sharp enamel. Coloration is usually grey or inexperienced with a whitish-yellow underbelly.
I’ve seen some large alligator gar in Louisiana bayous that made me do a double-take, however from the descriptions, Altie makes these seem like minnows. The creature isn’t identified for aggression, although it should reportedly react defensively when boats method too intently. Witnesses describe it basking on shorelines, swimming with sufficient pace to depart motorboat-like wakes, and infrequently making hissing or bellowing sounds.
Altamaha-ha Habitat
The Altamaha-ha calls the Altamaha River and its surrounding waterways house. The Altamaha is one in every of Georgia’s largest rivers, extending about 137 miles earlier than emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Its basin is big, creating the right atmosphere for a big, mysterious creature to stay hidden.
I spent a day exploring these waterways final summer time, and let me let you know, if there’s anywhere a monster may cover, it’s right here. The water is so darkish you possibly can barely see six inches beneath the floor, and the marshes stretch so far as the attention can see. It jogged my memory of the extra distant components of the Atchafalaya Basin again house, however with its personal distinct character.
The cryptid is most continuously noticed round Darien and elsewhere in McIntosh County, notably within the myriad small streams, twisting channels, and deserted rice fields close to the river’s mouth. Butler Island, Fort King George Historic Website, and Smith Lake are notable hotspots for sightings. The river space consists of quite a few islands, huge marshes, dikes, canals, ponds, and previous rice fields.
In 2018, what gave the impression to be the decomposing stays of an uncommon creature washed up on a seaside within the Wolf Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, inflicting hypothesis that it could be an Altamaha-ha. Nonetheless, a efficiency artist later claimed duty, admitting it was created from a stuffed shark and papier-mâché.
Looking the Altamaha-ha
If I have been planning an expedition to trace and probably seize proof of the Altamaha-ha, I’d want specialised gear, for certain. Right here in Louisiana, we all know a factor or two about monitoring creatures in murky waters, however Altie would current some distinctive challenges.
For starters, a secure boat with a quiet motor can be important. Ideally one thing that may navigate the shallow, winding channels of the Altamaha’s marshlands with out getting caught. I’ve bought an previous 16-footer that’s good for threading by way of tight bayous.
The best searching occasion would come with 4 individuals: an area information acquainted with the waterways, a wildlife biologist specializing in aquatic species, an skilled boat operator, and a photographer/videographer to doc every thing. Having a number of witnesses would additionally assist corroborate any sightings.
In contrast to trying to find terrestrial cryptids, the pursuit of Altamaha-ha requires persistence. I’d stake out identified hotspots throughout daybreak and nightfall when river exercise is usually highest, and preserve an everyday presence on the water for not less than two weeks to maximise possibilities of an encounter.
Getting ready the Altamaha-ha
Whereas nobody has ever reportedly eaten an Altamaha-ha (that we all know of), I could make some educated guesses about how this cryptid may style and the right way to put together it if one have been ever caught.
Given its reported sturgeon-like physique, Altie’s meat would probably be agency and considerably fatty, just like different massive river fish. The entrance portion with its flipper muscle tissues may supply meat corresponding to alligator – gentle, with a barely fishy taste and agency texture. I’ve eaten loads of gator again in Louisiana, so I’ve bought a fairly good reference level. The lengthy physique part would most likely present fillets just like sturgeon or massive garfish.
For preparation, I’d begin by treating it like different river creatures from Georgia. A 24-hour soak in buttermilk would assist tame any sturdy flavors, drawing out impurities whereas tenderizing the meat. Contemplating the creature’s reported measurement, you’d want industrial-sized containers for this course of! My crawfish boiling pot may simply deal with a small part.
A conventional Low Nation boil can be becoming for this Georgia native. I’d simmer chunks of meat with potatoes, corn, onions, and loads of Tony Chachere’s seasoning. The creature’s pure brininess would probably pair nicely with these flavors.
For the adventurous chef, smoking the meat over hickory chips would improve its pure flavors. Reduce into strips and dry-rubbed with brown sugar, paprika, and cayenne pepper, Altie jerky may turn into a Darien delicacy.
Trendy Sightings and Pop Tradition Affect
Although essentially the most well-known Altamaha-ha sightings date again a long time, occasional experiences proceed. In 2010, an beginner caught video of one thing unusual swimming close to Fort King George. The most important splash got here in 2018 when Jeff Warren photographed what gave the impression to be a carcass on Wolf Island seaside. The story went viral however was later revealed as an artwork hoax created with a stuffed shark and papier-mâché. Gotta love artists with an excessive amount of time on their fingers!
Altie hasn’t gotten the Hollywood therapy like Louisiana’s Rougarou, however has appeared in documentaries like “MonsterQuest” and in Dr. Ernest Drake’s “Monsterology.” Regionally, Darien has embraced Altie as a vacationer attraction, with merchandise and the favored sculpture on the Customer Middle turning into a must-see picture alternative.
Last Verdict: Fantasy or Monster?
After reviewing the proof and experiences, the query stays: what precisely is the Altamaha-ha?
The skeptic in me acknowledges a number of believable explanations. The Altamaha River is house to alligator gar, massive fish that may develop as much as 10 ft lengthy with alligator-like snouts. When swimming close to the floor, they might simply be mistaken for one thing extra uncommon.
Different potentialities embrace misidentified teams of river otters swimming in a line (creating the phantasm of a single undulating creature), massive alligators, and even wayward manatees that sometimes enterprise into the river system from the coast.
I’ll admit, I’ve been out fishing at nightfall and mistaken a floating log for an alligator extra occasions than I care to confess. The human thoughts loves to seek out patterns and make connections, particularly while you’re already excited about monsters lurking beneath!
Closing Ideas
Whether or not you’re a devoted cryptid hunter or only a curious traveler, the Altamaha River basin provides a glimpse right into a wilder, extra mysterious Georgia that exists past the bustling streets of Atlanta and Savannah. And who is aware of? You may simply be the one to seize definitive proof of the elusive Altamaha-ha.
Simply don’t neglect to pack your fishing gear; even for those who don’t spot a monster, the Altamaha is understood for glorious fishing. And that’s one thing you possibly can undoubtedly carry house for dinner! Take it from this Louisiana man, these Georgia waters maintain some huge catches, monster or not.
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