The Great Outsmores

The Coleman River Trail is a short, moderately easy walk in the most North Eastern parts of the Chattahoochee National Forest. It’s only about a mile each way from the trailhead at the Coleman’s confluence with the much larger Tallulah River in Rabun County, GA. The Tallulah itself is one Georgia’s better, but crowded, trout streams with clear, cool water cascading towards the headwaters of Lake Burton and the other Georgia Power impoundments of Rabun County.

 The Coleman is a much smaller, and steeper stream, and the path that bears its name follows the river up a moderate gulch under a canopy of Rodadendron, white pines, and hemlocks.  The river itself is boulder strewn throughout, and offers quite a few spots to drop off the trail and get your feet wet on a hot summer’s day.

The Coleman is designated an artificial lure only stream from the Tallulah up to the Forest Service Road 54, claiming to hold some native Brook Trout.  Note that many of the better looking fishing holes were quite a ways down below the trail, so plan on bringing boots in the least when fishing here, and maybe even some rappel gear!

One thing to note, as mentioned on several websites regarding the condition of the bridges, they are rickety at best - however none span higher than a couple feet.

Some photos:

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Finally I’ve got to chime in on the “Potential World Record” largemouth caught a couple years ago in Lake Dixon, in California. I have immense respect for Jed Dickerson’s quest to catch (or re-catch) the late lunker affectionately called Dottie. Two years ago this spring, Jed landed Dottie, a 25 lb. 1 oz. largemouth that would have smashed George Perry’s 22 lb. 4 oz. record out of Montgomery Lake in Georgia.

The problem is, he shanked her - reportedly near the dorsal fin, so the IGFA ruled against it. In an interesting twist, Jed released the monster, and was stalking her for nearly two years until a Ranger regrettably informed him that Dottie was found dead, floating in Lake Dixon at 19 +/- lbs.

Perry’s Bass Emerges

Lately an old photo of Perry’s World Record Largemouth has surfaced, coincidentally not long after Dickerson’s potential record Dottie was pulled from the waters of Lake Dixon. After 74 years, proof has been established for what was once a matter of controversy since it is, I agree, difficult to believe without seeing for one’s self.

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Sarina Brewer may be the most talented, and possibly the most twisted taxidermist the world has ever known.

“She utilizes salvaged roadkill and discarded livestock, as well as the many animals that are donated to her. Donated animals are often casualties of the pet trade, destroyed nuisance animals and pests, or animals that died of natural causes. A very strict “waste not, want not” policy is adhered to in her studio - virtually every part of the animal is recycled in some manner.”

Some taxidermy categories found on her website, www.customcreaturetaxidermy.com, include Carcus Art & Pickled Pets, but my favorite by far is squirrel liquor decanter:

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