I was thinking an American Water Spanial would have shorter legs, which, in theory, would slow 'em down enough in heavy cover to call it "close working". Might try one, someday.
My setters, both good pointing dogs, were balls of fire between those points, and set the pace up a notch or two over what I would call close working. It is a challenge on pheasants that have been pressured a bit to keep up in that track meet.
A sub six pound 20 gauge is a joy in the right application, and I have owned the model 17 since I was 16, when I was most assuredly not an old fart, just a lad with a light bird gun. I think of the sub six pound Darne 20, with it's longish barrels, the same way I think of my IRA-proper preparation for the golden years to come, but, a bunch more fun along the way.
So, go find a little gun of your very own, Jack. You don't get mine. I thought that Bernadelimacaroni, or whatever it is that you own, was 'sorta light, but, maybe not light enough.
Best,
Ted
PS TW, I'm thinking most guys here have more weight around their middle they could lose, than the difference between light boots, and not so light boots. Especially the old farts.
