I have been a regular observer of the Chattahoochee River at Helen for 32 consecutive years. In that time I have personally identified 47 distinct fish — fish I have seen across multiple sightings, across multiple seasons, whose behavioral patterns I can describe with some confidence. What follows is a ranking of the top 10, by personality, with photographs of each.
By Garrett "Buck" Pendergrass · Apr 17, 2026 · 8 min
The Cool River Tubing rental office opens to the public on May 15. Between November 3 and May 14, approximately 19,800 commercial inner tubes are stored in a climate-uncontrolled metal building 170 yards off Edelweiss Strasse. Most of them are, on November 3, wet. Raymond Eckles, 56, has been the one who opens the roll-up door on reopening day for 31 consecutive years.
By Garrett "Buck" Pendergrass · Apr 10, 2026 · 5 min
The bear arrives at the Holiday Inn Express hedge at approximately 4:47 a.m. most mornings and departs for dumpster work at approximately 11:20 p.m. This is not a bear in transit. This is a bear with an address.
By Garrett "Buck" Pendergrass · Mar 26, 2026 · 8 min
Georgia DNR's spring fingerling run for Smith Creek and the lower Anna Ruby Falls Creek corridor put 14,000 rainbow trout in the water between 7:21 and 9:44 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18. The fish were in good condition. The water was 51°F.
By Garrett "Buck" Pendergrass · Mar 19, 2026 · 7 min
In February 2022, I counted 47 Canada geese in Helen's downtown river corridor. In February 2026, I counted 314. The difference is not a measurement error. The geese have decided something.
By Garrett "Buck" Pendergrass · Mar 4, 2026 · 8 min
At 7:04 a.m. Thursday, February 20, the Chattahoochee at Robertstown Road ran 44.1°F. By afternoon it had climbed to 47.3°F. That is still cold enough to make a reasonable person reconsider most recreational decisions.
By Garrett "Buck" Pendergrass · Feb 20, 2026 · 7 min
