Yesterday I went to my ducking lake. My partner, my dog and I were all prepared for the rain and wind which have been with us for the past few days. I had a fine double with me and also a Model 12 built in 1913 with solid rib and original configuration trap butt stock. What with the rain falling in sheets, a 3 mile paddle to the delta and the Weatherman's prognosis of rain all day I recased the double and pulled out the pump. Upon reaching the delta at the first hint of light we were greeted by knots of ducks jetting by the point with a 40 mph from the north tail wind. Geese - Whitefronts and Canadas - lifted from their night time roost into the wind then turned and struck out with purpose. Some to their migration, riding the wind while their soul stirring calls sang to the marsh others to some distant quarter of the lake for I saw them no more this day. But the ducks! Mallards, Gadwalls, Teal, Bluebills, Whistlers, Buffleheads, even Pintails and Canvasbacks rushed past enough to seize one's very breath. The 12 seemed to shoot of it's own accord and without taking the opportunity for selection of a kind I acquired a mixed bag of 2 drake mallard, 2 drake whistlers, 2 drake bluebill, a spoonbill ( my mistake in identification ) and all topped off with a beautiful drake Canvasback. The dog performed as is his gifted way with 8 for 8 on the retrieves even though some were in deep reeds and not a few quite distant. Back home with the guns cleaned I now face the dilema of reverting to my loved sidebys or placing the model 12 at the front of the waterfowling gun cabinet. I wish all of you who visit the marshes, lakes and rivers this autumn similar perplexations.
