the parker made its first trip back on the bay yesterday. their was skim ice on most of the canals creeks and small ponds. the temp was 18 with a 10 to 15 mph breeze out of the west. the day before I saw the ducks moving, trading back and forth looking to feed. this is something they having been doing in a while because of the warmer weather. I was thinking of spots to go in the marsh to show the parker a good hunt. the gun hasn't seen the bay in 35 to 40 years just sittin in the closet. this was a special day, so I went old school in the hunt. the al mc. blks and mallards came out, they being 35 yr old. I also brought out the pinnies and spoonbills for a little bit of color. I left the dock for aday of gunnin going west to gunning island the ride is about 3 to 4 miles, but into the wind all the way. I wasn't in a hurry I was hunting the drop of the tide. but needed to get back in before the water dropped out and the skiff wouldn't have the water to motor in. I get to the island with 4 hours left in tide and set the rig in knee deep water. the skiff gets pegged to island in a little cut out so boat is hidden real good which will look even better when water drops out. I get in the skiff and set up back rest get shooter my dog set in his corner of cockpit and take the gun out of case . I pull up the grass flaps and get comfortable for the wait holding the gun I am day dreaming of days of old. what this gun had been shot at it being 96 years old after a 45 min. wait a blk duck comes to the rig rite to the sweet spot and now I have to do this gun proud. the duck comes to edge of rig and I drop the flap put gun up the duck tips its wing to catch the wind and bang he is hit hard an drops to water dead. I send shooter for the retrieve. this a special moment with duck in one hand and the old parker in the other with shooter sittin at my side looking over the decoys. I raise the bird up to the sky and say this one was for you old friend.