The drive was in a valley with a stream approx 12 feet wide and 12 to 18 inches deep running pretty fast due to heavy rainfall the previous day's, I was mentoring an inexperienced gun and a good friend was pegged next to us. As the horn sounded to end the drive my gun had had no success but my mate had several birds down, he asked me to try for 2 in front across the stream while he sent his 2 cockers back for the birds that had fallen behind.
Brock made short work of the 1st which had fallen at the base of the wall across the river, delivering nicely to hand too, which was a bonus as he has previously been releasing the just prior to me accepting the bird from him.
I was informed the second was further to the right and sent him across again, by this time several beaters and other shoot personnel had arrived and were mulling about around the area to be worked (something that really peeves me) Brock worked the area well covering the ground and I could tell after a short while he had found the area of the fall, I encouraged him to hunt but after a while it was obvious the bird had moved, he entered the stream and worked the bank either side from in the water then proceeded to work downstream, suddenly in the middle of the stream his body language changed and he took what only can be describes as a line on the water for maybe 10 yards, he then checked and returned about 4 yards back upstream, thrust his head under the water and reappeared with a partridge
The bird was completely submerged and must have been caught in an eddy with just enough scent topping the water to give him a line to work.I have seen plenty of dogs do water retrieves and plunge their head under to claim their prize but never one work a underwater retrieve like it was on land.
To say I was pleased was an understatement I took the bird from him, he shook, looked all pleased with himself and I told him what a good boy he was while the gathered crowd commented "fantastic retrieve" "never seen anything like it"
It made my day and was one of those moments I will remember long after this special young dog has earned his place in retirement by the fire and I reminisce about his achievements in the field.
Hoping to hear of other people's memorable retrieves also