Pipe Getting Clogged During Smoke

Well, I've had this happen twice with my new Brigham 184. Last Monday, after putting the pipe away for an hour or so, I relighted it and couldn't draw: it was like trying to suck molasses as they say. The blend in question was a shop English from my local B&M, ribbon cut (although the ribbons weren't really long). The tobacco was near bone dry, by the way. I used the three layer method to pack it.
Then, yesterday, same thing happened only halfway through the bowl. This time I was smoking some MacBaren Navy Flake that got really dry. I use the fold method to pack the pipe.
Both times I had to poke with the Czech tool like heck to be able to draw again. The pipe kept going out constantly.
Any ideas about this problem? Could it be the maple filter? My pipe is resting now, but I took out the filter and noticed that it draws more/easier without it than with it, but I've also read that some others use the filters no problem. I'm at a loss here.

txpiper07: unfortunately, the Brigham filters go into a receptacle at the end, and a pipe cleaner can't be run to the chamber with them on. I have to take the mouthpiece off in order to be able to run a cleaner to the chamber.
I think I see why some just can't stand filters.
Could be, Anthony, and the draught hole seems rather small to me to begin with.

Smoking without the filter will enlarge the air hole diameter. Should I expect a hotter smoke (and tongue burn) then?

Well, I smoked another half bowl to-day with a new filter. I didn't get any clog ups, but the last leg of the bowl kept going out, even immediately after lighting it. Maybe the tobacco is getting too wet at the bottom and that causes clog ups in addition to being impossible to light. At this rate this pipe won't get a good cake, methinks.