An old neighbor who was known to be a hard core sportsman passed away and I went to the estate sale to look for fly rods and fishing stuff. I found a nice Granger cane rod and a lot of flytying stuff. As I start to settle up, I spotted an old pipe. I ask about it and they said they would throw it in at no charge because no one was going to buy it. The old pipe sat on the back of my work bench patiently for several months. I decided to clean it up and give it a try. It was very well used and chewed as bad as a rawhide dog bone. I could not find any marking on the very worn bowl but it cleaned up good enough to smoke. Obviously the old man had love this old pipe and had spent many hours puffing away. I lit up and started tying flies. After about 2 doz. flies I noticed that these were the best looking I had ever tied. Now, after 6 months, it doesn't seem right to tie without smoking the old man's pipe. I often feel he is standing behind me directing my clumsy hands and smiling that his old pipe is still in use. I'm sure got far more than an old estate pipe from that old man. I'll never part with the old, battered briar.
