OK people, story time (*_*)

For years I had been hearing rumors of a striking and brutish giant fish in a hard to get to far off place known as ETOWAH Valley and in the ETOWAH River that scours its basin. Our journey would have us travel many mile through hostile territory via 4x4 overland vehicle. The total journey miles would be about 72 miles when complete. This may not seem like a distance but consider if you might have been an ant or a salamander, or perhaps a muskrat. We had hoped to drop into the valley with the use of a dory style boat but that would have to wait for a return trip after initial explorations had been completed to designate our drop in and extraction points. Far across the deep ancient forests of ETOWAH Valley and deep within its canyons at a GPS bearing that does not even register with modern technology.



Only known photo of ETOWAH River. In local language the word ETOWAH Means "Dirty Water"

My exploration team consisted of professional Northwest U.S. river guide Alan Goering, a mysterious woman at Alan’s side known only as Tyra and our aboriginal driver, whom oddly was sporting a pink shirt.

This massive fish that was to be our target is described as large, strikingly colorful with shades of red and tan and known to use its large searing teeth in an aggressive nature towards both man and beast. Locals in this area that speak English give the fish the name "Tule" or "ETOWAH Tule" meaning "Salmon of Dirty Water River". Locals say that these massive river monsters can be as large as 50 lbs. Considered sacred by the local natives the fish is no longer netted in the rivers valley and the angler must only accept a catch that is by way of challenge or it does not count and you cannot be so honored by the Tule god himself. We certainly had no intent on harming these magnificent creatures and our only prize was to be photographic memories that would serve as scientific evidence that these fish actually did exist and that we had in fact encountered them, by way of challenge. This by the way was also the only way we could barter our way into the valley with the local and aboriginal peoples. On this most incredible journey into the eye of the Tule, would be taking nothing but photos and we would be leaving nothing but our foot prints in the sand.





Once into the canyon after our lengthy journey River guide Alan was fast onto the Tule salmon noting that they seem to have an interest in eating the roe of other known U.S. salmonoids. Our first encounter however was not the "OnE" we had been hearing about and looking for. Near the top of one hole we saw a large fish surface and swirl with a splashy rise, liking only to that of a harbor seal splashing around in tide water. Alan made an attempt to get to the fish with a larger heavier fishing system that was capable of handling the large brute we had just seen. Fishing with a makeshift float system looked to be the best way to get them since there was not enough current for any other method. Alan's float dived sharply into the ETOWAH's dirty green water. Alan had plenty of experience in handling river giants as a U.S. fishing guide and quickly set the hook causing the fish to break the surface with an explosive roar! The mysterious woman known only as Tyra suddenly appeared and shared the fight of this massive beast with Alan. After a long battle on the heaviest gear known to man this "beast" was finally at our hands for observation.



This Tule was showing no mating color and may have been fresh in the cycle as noted by locals. Taking notes and measurements we studied the fish for only a few seconds. After we took only a few photos Alan eased the mighty fish estimated to be about 30 to 40 lbs back into the river for a safe release.





Alan happily watched as the fish swam back into the rivers dirty green water, the same place his float had gone only moments before this most incredible encounter occurred.


Only known photo of our aboriginal overland 4x4 guide in pink shirt.

Next it was my turn. After months of preparation and planning. After a periless journey overland and down into this most desirable and deep of places in the world it was finally my turn. The river monsters had found my offering and accepted! Now by way of challenge as the locals describe it I muscled this red Barchetta of a fish with a heavy pole designed for handling ocean fishing situations. Anything less and I would have been outgunned like Normandy. I was lucky however and after I had used all of my strength I won the battle.



The massive beast showed the mythical shades of red described by the locals, we are finally seeing the true "Tule" of the ETOWAH River and wow what a magnificent fish it is to see! You can see the large white teeth on the lower jaw of this specimen. All of the wonderful detail mother nature had given to this beautiful fish, simply amazing! Let's hope that things stay the way they are to protect them from the demise of modern man and man's undeniable greed. Remembering that our goal was for nothing but the challenge and photos, I readied the fish for its release.



We had each found "The OnE" and our fish remained in its cycle of continuance as it was meant to be. I know that I have a greater appreciation for this fish than ever and it has become sacred to me having been a part of their life cycle for a time. On our journey back out of ETOWAH territory I remember reflecting on how much more the adventure has meant that the quest was that of sportsmanship, photographic memories and a better understanding of nature and how we "can" co-exist together anyplace in the world with simple consideration of what has been here long before we came.

ETOWAH River Tule update:

Our initial exploration into the ETOWAH River valley had given us locations to insert a river dory and take a deeper look into the life of the Tule. Although GPS coords are not possible in this part of the world we map marked the spots on the first trip. We have returned to ETOWAH and the only thing I will tell you until the next installment "Return to ETOWAH" is that the fish did not get any smaller....




Part 2 Return to Etowha River!


Alan Goering's Guide Service can be contacted at http://alangoeringguideservice.intuitwebsites.com/
Alan has river monster trips available across the Northwest territory. Call for more info (503) 901-5453