The director, Lew “Gunny” Duckwall is a certified warrior with in-country stints in places like Fallujah, Kandahar, Somalia. He retired out as an instructor at the USMC Scout Sniper School, and training coordinator at the Mountain Warfare Training Center. Not that he’d ever tell you, and what I’ve learned is from snippets of conversation, old videos, and recollections of folks that served with/under him.
I’ve been volunteer guiding for a local veterans group here in New Mexico, AWOL Angler, and they put the Gunny in touch with me. He asked if I was interested in rolling out to Oklahoma to fish for a few days. Before I started to say “Aren’t the bass down this time of year,” he added “For bows and browns…” Trout? In Oklahoma?
Since I’d never fished in the Sooner State, it was a no brainer to want to check it off the list. Loaded the truck, left through a snow storm, and 784 miles later, I pulled into the “lodge” they’d rented for the event.
I packed my sleeping bag and self inflating sleep pad, assuming I’d grab a piece of floor somewhere. I shouldn’t have worried. 7 bedrooms, billiards room, jacuzzi- all donated to the program free of charge.
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Gunny gave me the game plan for the next couple of days. He was going to place me with one of the local, full time guides for the duration. I started to argue with him, figuring a professional guide would be appreciated more by someone without a fly tossing background. Plus, I suck as a client. I’m not at my best trying to fish someone else’s program and gear. I’d much rather be pointed in the direction and be left alone to unlock the puzzle. But, in true USMC Gunny fashion, it’s an argument he won… Come to find out later, it was an audition of sorts to see if I might volunteer for them when they visit NM, CO, etc.
Next morning, under heavy skies, the group met up. 8 participants, 9 volunteers, and 3 local guides.
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All branches were represented, and gentlemen from the Vietnam era to currently serving active duty were there. I got paired up with my guide, Patrick. He was low key, chill, and makes his living on this water. You could sense his absolute passion for flyfishing and despite being only 23, possessed none of that “fish brah” bullcrap attitude. He’s trying to make a leap to Alaska to guide. I believe he’s got the ethic to make a run at it.
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The fishery is a tailwater and one of two systems in the state that supports year around trout. While it’s heavily stocked, they do have a small population of reproducing browns and bows.
I got the standard guide low down of “shoulda been here yesterday,” and “the holiday weekend has put down the bite…” It didn’t matter to me. New water in a new state- only the first fish mattered.
I was given a 8.5’ 5wt with a 3 nymph rig, plus split. Not my normal rigging, but when in Rome.. Didn’t take but 2-3 cast to go tight. Granted, it was a stocker, but at least it had some heft to it.
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Managed a few wild fish as well.
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We fished till lunch, then met up with the main group. For the afternoon session, I asked Patrick if I could bust out my 10’ 2wt and tie up a two fly rig, Euro style with tags. He was open to it and off we went, prospecting for better fish.
He spoke with reverence about some of the resident browns in the creek and how notoriously difficult they are to get to eat. However, being able to adjust to depths and ledges, it wasn’t too long before I had a taker. Turns out it’s one of the better models there, and just an absolutely beautiful trout.
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By the end of the day, I had the official “blessing” to help guide the participant vets. I think Patrick and I C&R’d a couple a dozen fish, which broke my heart because the other anglers managed 3-5 for the day. I felt selfishly spoiled.
Next day I teamed with a few different veterans, all the while running around trying to grab pics of the event. I was happy to put them on fish, and to be able to run around grabbing photos. Was also happy to hear the stories these gentlemen had to tell.
I’m looking forward to when the group comes out to New Mexico and Southern Colorado. I’ll definitely be there to volunteer in anyway possible..
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