by Sandy Phillips
Assateague’s Gun Club Era
AA
s I compose this story, we soon enter year 3 of the COVID 19 Pandemic. While our world is forever changed in many ways, good things have emerged over the last couple of years. We have learned to prioritize family and take our overall health more seriously to maintain a more robust immune system. We have spent much more time with family members and seized opportunities to strengthen those bonds. Native Chincoteague islander Stephanie Montross and her father Russell Fish began a quest to visit each of the remaining hunting lodges on Assateague Island and learn more about their rich history. Stephanie has a passion for nature photography, and Russell just loves spending time with his daughter. It's been an incredible adventure for them, which they still enjoy. We thought you, too, might enjoy a bit of that story.
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Inside Ocean City 2022
Remains of Clemens Beach House, originally constructed in 1953, by Wylie Maddox and sold to Robert Clemens in 1964. While rarely used for waterfowl hunting, it was popular for deer hunting. The house was rebuilt in 1968.
Most locals have never seen the lodges, and even fewer visitors will. They are now difficult to reach, requiring permits and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Roads that once lead to the "resorts" have long crumbled and become impassible. Some are reachable via boat from the Virginia area, but you will need to know just where they are and which 'gut' will take you to them. Rich in history, remains of the lodges are now registered with the Maryland Historical Trust, a source for much of this information. In addition, in 2004, the National Park Service(NPS)/Department of the Interior commissioned the report Waterfowl Hunting Camps and Related Properties within the Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland, and Virginia. I have also drawn from that text; you can find it in its entirety in the public domain.
I have also spoken with a small handful of people, including Russell Fish, who visited these lodges as children during their glory day, all of whom have fond memories of the camaraderie of those who love the waterfowl sport. My husband and I, too, had the privilege of seeing many of these in our youth; hiking to the lodges was always an adventure; at that time, the road was still somewhat passable via 4-wheel drive.
Historic images by Andrew Roach, NPS, including images by Stephanie Montross, and Beached Paws Photography, other images sourced as noted.
