SITREP

Treasure from the Water, Treasure from the Sky by Paul DeCecco

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Sun over the dark, close pines, the water a deep, crystal blue. Mist hovers, giving the lake a ghostly feel. Air sharp with high-country earth; a breeze hints of mountain sage, the clear, crisp air at 10,000 feet. The quiet anticipation of four men— Craig, Thomas, Mike, and one more— beginning the day as strangers.

Sitting in the boats, lines arcing out, the silence a real gift, a casting away from the noise, to find the rhythm of the fly line’s loop, the simple, steady peace of mountainous New Mexico. Here, on Apache land near Chama. Talk, but mostly listening; the occasional laugh and friendly ribbing for the bigger fish. And we caught them. Trout flashed silver-gold in the sun; the satisfying, quick tug on the leader. Fish after fish, the nets growing heavy with shared success, no competition, and easy laughter.

As morning passes, the sun climbs higher, a stillness settles over the lake. The water’s endless lapping a gentle, steadying hand. Quiet. No laughter, no ribbing, just the quiet focus of the four, and the wondering— have we already caught the last fish of the day?

Then a shadow fell, a command from above. A loud, piercing, territorial cry high in the blue above. The osprey, come for morning’s bounty, circling once, a taut wingspan against the deep, dark green of the far shore. It dove.

Not a gentle wade, but a plummet, talons extended, a brown and white missile slicing the surface with a clean, violent splash. The water exploded, a curtain of sparkling light, And it rose—effortless, magnificent— a wild, perfect fish secured in its grip, a living testament to grace and power. We sat silent, watching, four fishermen, now friends, our day’s good fortune mirrored in the sky. We were not alone in pulling treasure from the water. Man or raptor, a single, shared purpose under the high desert sun.



Author wants to thank Project Healing Waters for this great opportunity in Chama, New Mexico. Project Healing Waters is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the veteran community.


Author’s Disclosure: “Google Gemini AI tool was used in the development of this work for structural guidance. All ideas, interpretations, and conclusions are entirely those of the author.” Photo taken by author while fishing in Chama, New Mexico.