ABOVE: An aerial view of Carrabelle. CENTER: Even wedding parties can’t resist the allure of the St. James Bay Golf Resort.
C
arrabelle, Florida, population 11,000, approximately 325 miles from Atlanta, is the boating and fishing capital of the Forgotten Coast. Three rivers converge here and connect with the Gulf of Mexico, providing access to salt- and fresh-water fishing grounds—grouper, tarpon, redfish, snapper, amberjack, trout, cobia, shrimp and oysters are just a few common species.
Exploring the Great Outdoors Of course, local menus serve up plenty of freshcatch options that melt in your mouth with bright, just-reeled-in flavor. But perhaps you’d prefer to hook your own? Captain Chester Reese hosts sport-fishing excursions under the banner of Natural World Charters. From his 24foot boat named Eagle—and, yes, you may spot a bald eagle or two swooping overhead some days—you can cast or troll in deep or shallow waters as suits your preference and, of course, seasonal weather and water conditions. Captain Reese, a certified Florida Master Naturalist with 25 years’ experience working on the water, is the sort of person you might instantly consider a friend. Gregarious and chatty, he is eager to guide novice or experienced fishermen and shares many local stories while pointing out key sites en route to the best fishing spots. Reese’s anecdotes entertain while also
revealing the character of the folks who live in the area, such as the sailor who abandoned a sinking ship only after realizing that even the scallops he’d netted were jumping overboard, or Adam Warwick, who rescued a 375-pound black bear from drowning in the Gulf of Mexico off Alligator Point. For folks like me who prefer to leave fish (and bears) swimming peacefully undisturbed, Captain Reese also hosts ecotourism adventures. Explore the complex ecosystem linking the network of marsh, rivers, estuaries, sounds and the Gulf of Mexico on a custom boating tour where your itinerary might include stops to wiggle your toes in the sand while collecting shells on Dog Island, photograph birds and other wildlife, or whatever piques your interest. The waters support dolphins, sea turtles, alligators and dozens of birds including pelicans, egrets, roseate spoonbills, osprey and more. Each incoming and outgoing tide churns the water and alters the scenery. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. Don’t forget your digital camera!
Dog Island, a sandy, seven-mile stretch of land just three and a half miles offshore from Carrabelle, is accessible only by boat or small plane. Part of a chain of barrier islands, it’s a popular destination with Franklin County locals who anchor nearby and swim, snorkel or scramble ashore to picnic, hike, get some sun and play in the sand. While a few private homes and the rustic, eight-room Pelican Inn are located on Dog Island, most of this tranquil, 1,800-acre island is owned by the Nature Conservancy.
Unspoiled Paradise Dog Island is just one unspoiled haven near Carrabelle, since more than 80 percent of Franklin County has been designated as state or federal parks. Nearly 750,000 acres of public forest are available for hiking, trail-riding, birding or watching for wildlife. Encountering crowds is unlikely; odds are you won’t cross another person in the swampy forest. According to local legend, a farmer named Cebe Tate ventured into the woods in 1875 to hunt down a panther that was killing his livestock. Lost for days, he was bitten by a snake and made it out alive just long enough to utter the words, “My name is Tate and I’ve been through hell!” The area now known as Tate’s
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