The primary time I heard concerning the Altamaha-ha, I used to be driving by way of McIntosh County, Georgia, on my manner again to Louisiana. My truck was loaded with fishing gear, and I used to be on my manner dwelling 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 at all times appear to convey their monsters with them wherever they go!
Bodily Description and Alleged Habits
Most stories describe Altamaha-ha as 10-30 toes 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 giant eyes and sharp enamel. Coloration is often grey or inexperienced with a whitish-yellow underbelly.
I’ve seen some huge 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 go away motorboat-like wakes, and infrequently making hissing or bellowing sounds.
Altamaha-ha Habitat
The Altamaha-ha calls the Altamaha River and its surrounding waterways dwelling. The Altamaha is considered one of Georgia’s largest rivers, extending about 137 miles earlier than emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Its basin is gigantic, creating the proper surroundings for a big, mysterious creature to stay hidden.
I spent a day exploring these waterways final summer time, and let me inform you, if there’s anyplace a monster might conceal, it’s right here. The water is so darkish you possibly can barely see six inches under the floor, and the marshes stretch so far as the attention can see. It jogged my memory of the extra distant elements of the Atchafalaya Basin again dwelling, however with its personal distinct character.
The cryptid is most ceaselessly 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 Web site, and Smith Lake are notable hotspots for sightings. The river space consists of quite a few islands, huge marshes, dikes, canals, ponds, and outdated rice fields.
In 2018, what gave the impression to be the decomposing stays of an uncommon creature washed up on a seashore within the Wolf Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, inflicting hypothesis that it may 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 had been planning an expedition to trace and presumably seize proof of the Altamaha-ha, I’d want specialised tools, for positive. 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 could be important. Ideally one thing that may navigate the shallow, winding channels of the Altamaha’s marshlands with out getting caught. I’ve obtained an outdated 16-footer that’s excellent for threading by way of tight bayous.
The best searching get together would come with 4 individuals: an area information aware of the waterways, a wildlife biologist specializing in aquatic species, an skilled boat operator, and a photographer/videographer to doc all the things. Having a number of witnesses would additionally assist corroborate any sightings.
In contrast to looking for terrestrial cryptids, the pursuit of Altamaha-ha requires endurance. I’d stake out identified hotspots throughout daybreak and nightfall when river exercise is often highest, and preserve a daily presence on the water for no less than two weeks to maximise probabilities of an encounter.
Making 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 would possibly style and the way to put together it if one had been ever caught.
Given its reported sturgeon-like physique, Altie’s meat would seemingly be agency and considerably fatty, much like different giant river fish. The entrance portion with its flipper muscle groups would possibly provide meat corresponding to alligator – delicate, with a barely fishy taste and agency texture. I’ve eaten loads of gator again in Louisiana, so I’ve obtained a fairly good reference level. The lengthy physique part would most likely present fillets much like sturgeon or giant 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 robust 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 would possibly simply deal with a small part.
A standard Low Nation boil could 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 seemingly pair nicely with these flavors.
For the adventurous chef, smoking the meat over hickory chips would improve its pure flavors. Minimize into strips and dry-rubbed with brown sugar, paprika, and cayenne pepper, Altie jerky would possibly change into a Darien delicacy.
Fashionable Sightings and Pop Tradition Affect
Although essentially the most well-known Altamaha-ha sightings date again many years, occasional stories proceed. In 2010, an novice 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 seashore. 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 arms!
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.” Domestically, Darien has embraced Altie as a vacationer attraction, with merchandise and the favored sculpture on the Customer Middle turning into a must-see photograph alternative.
Ultimate Verdict: Fable or Monster?
After reviewing the proof and stories, the query stays: what precisely is the Altamaha-ha?
The skeptic in me acknowledges a number of believable explanations. The Altamaha River is dwelling to alligator gar, giant fish that may develop as much as 10 toes lengthy with alligator-like snouts. When swimming close to the floor, they might simply be mistaken for one thing extra uncommon.
Different potentialities embody misidentified teams of river otters swimming in a line (creating the phantasm of a single undulating creature), giant 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 instances than I care to confess. The human thoughts loves to seek out patterns and make connections, particularly while you’re already interested by monsters lurking under!
Closing Ideas
Whether or not you’re a devoted cryptid hunter or only a curious traveler, the Altamaha River basin presents 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 would possibly 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 thought for wonderful fishing. And that’s one thing you possibly can positively convey dwelling for dinner! Take it from this Louisiana man, these Georgia waters maintain some large catches, monster or not.
