I find pipe smoking to be quite a bit like fishing. Fishing is different things to any given person. Some people fish to catch fish. Others fish because they just enjoy fishing. There are always new gadgets, equipment, techniques and materials being refined and developed. There are also tried and true 'old reliables' that are proven and timeless.
I used to fish on my Granddad's ponds as a boy. I had my Zebco rod and reel and a tacklebox with all the necessaries and various lures and such. Going to Otasco and perusing the fishing aisle was a weekly quest that usually ended with me dropping a buck on the latest spinner or plug. But the very first lure I had was a red and white spoon that scored my first 5 pound Largemouth Bass.
I would fool around for some time casting spinners for perch and maybe throw out a bobber and relax but when I wanted to pull in a fighter that red and white spoon was the done deal. I fished with that spoon until most of the enamel wore off and eventually lost it to a snapped line. I caught plenty with most lures I had but that spoon.......
People like to fish ponds, rivers, creeks, lakes and oceans. Some stay home to fish while others travel the world. People fish for bass, crappie, catfish, salmon, cod, shark, octopus..... The various equipment and methods used in fishing are countless. But it is all fishing and folks love it.
My pipe smoking is like an old reliable pond. I know where the fish are and how to catch them. Once in a while a friend will bring something new to try that may or may not work. Sometimes a snake will swim by. My favorite pipe and tobacco are much like that old scratched up spoon. Old reliable gets it done every time.
I used to fish on my Granddad's ponds as a boy. I had my Zebco rod and reel and a tacklebox with all the necessaries and various lures and such. Going to Otasco and perusing the fishing aisle was a weekly quest that usually ended with me dropping a buck on the latest spinner or plug. But the very first lure I had was a red and white spoon that scored my first 5 pound Largemouth Bass.
I would fool around for some time casting spinners for perch and maybe throw out a bobber and relax but when I wanted to pull in a fighter that red and white spoon was the done deal. I fished with that spoon until most of the enamel wore off and eventually lost it to a snapped line. I caught plenty with most lures I had but that spoon.......
People like to fish ponds, rivers, creeks, lakes and oceans. Some stay home to fish while others travel the world. People fish for bass, crappie, catfish, salmon, cod, shark, octopus..... The various equipment and methods used in fishing are countless. But it is all fishing and folks love it.
My pipe smoking is like an old reliable pond. I know where the fish are and how to catch them. Once in a while a friend will bring something new to try that may or may not work. Sometimes a snake will swim by. My favorite pipe and tobacco are much like that old scratched up spoon. Old reliable gets it done every time.
