A Parker on Lac St. Pierre

[Don Kaas]

We are literally at the end of a gravel road hard on the north bank of the St.Lawrence River east of St Ignace de Loyola in the NW corner of the wide spot in the great river known as Lac St. Pierre. The large marshes on the north bank are ancient staging areas for waterfowl heading south as well as being local breeding areas for great numbers of mallards, blacks and teal. While only 100 miles from the Vermont border, it is nonetheless, rural Quebec with English heard very rarely and a fiercely independent culture all its own. The big river dominates the people and the landscape much like the Mississippi does throughout its long course. The locals, including our hosts, are and have been "watermen" for many generations much like those I have hunted with for decades along the Chesapeake. There is that guarded sense one has in these places where the landscape still has a strong but fading hold on its people that you are intruding into a way of life that is slowly passing into a mediocre modernity. When you live your autumns going to where the ducks still are, you find these people still fixed in these solemn landscapes. But, in the words of a Canadian, Joanie Mitchell, whether these folks have the urge for going or not, only the ducks "have the wings to go"...

[TARNATION !!!]

Originally Posted by Don Kaas

...There is that guarded sense one has in these places where the landscape still has a strong but fading hold on its people that you are intruding into a way of life that is slowly passing into a mediocre modernity. ...

I like this description. I have been an "intruder" at such places. I think we who shoot Parkers and other fine century plus doubles have an abiding longing for an era that will never be again. Part of the reason it is lost is an acceptance of mediocrity. There is little pride left in creating lasting products of any ilk. If it lasts, that's not going to generate future sales. Why do we accept that an appliance is lucky to have a ten year useful life, when there are "ancient" appliances that still function perfectly? Why do we accept that some electronic item is to be routinely considered a piece of crap after a year or two? I think the list can go on and on. Then there is that other list. Parker, Lefever, Fox, Smith, and some from across the pond. Pride of manufacture remains evident in a "product" that will continue to provide pleasure and good (even tough) service for another century and beyond with a minimum of TLC. From the forgers and fitters, the machinists and wood workers, the engravers and those charged with quality control throughout the process, the by-word was "excellence". Mediocrity was only to be found in a dictionary and was not an understood concept at any of the fine gunworks. Time to stop and re-fill the cup from one of them new fangled coffee makers destined to be in a nearby land fill in the not too distant future. Sighhhhhhh..............

Jack

[John Truitt]

Not trying to high jack this thread.
But very well said Mr. Cronkhite.

[John Truitt]

Thanks for keeping us posted Mr. Kaas.
I always enjoy hearing about your and Destry's trips and shooting adventures.
Please keep em coming.

John

[TARNATION !!!]

Don: I very much enjoyed your hunter's diary. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
Cheers,
Jack