Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

I know there are many people out there who love bent pipes. They think they are the way to go. In fact, some I have heard a few who have said they would never smoke a straight. That's a debate the is personal preference, and indeed, I like a bent.

That being said, I prefer straight pipes.

Why?


1) A bent pipe more easily collects condensation at the point of the bottom of the bowl and draft hole. This is why a bent often produces more gurgle. And, as steam produces tongue bite, a bent is often less forgiving in that area than a straight. Of course, proper packing, technique, and pipe cleaners can alleviate most of this.

2) And this is the most important thing to consider. A straight is better for fishing in the streams.

"What?" you are thinking.

It is simple. As I look at the weather for this coming Sunday - Monday, "tut, tut, it looks like rain." What am I going to bring to smoke? Some people would say, I don't know if I even want to go fishing in the rain. If the water is fairly clear, sometimes stream fishing for trout in the rain is the most productive time.

But, most smokers don't even consider what they'll smoke if it is raining. Why? Ever smoke a cigar in a steady rain? Not going to smoke good ones. Ever smoke a pipe in a steady rain? Most people won't.

But why not? You can smoke a straight pipe in a downpour without the brim of a hat to cover it. You cannot smoke a bent that way, though.

Huh?

If you smoke a straight pipe, all you need to do is turn the bowl upside down and it is effectively waterproof. You can even tamp and relight it while inverted.

Try that with a bent pipe.

So, all you stream trout fishermen, get yourself a couple straight pipes for those rainy days. You'll be glad you did.

Oh yeah, I can now see a couple of you who have read this, trying your pipes upside down.

Just a word of caution. Do not do this indoors or while sitting. Why? Falling ash and possibly embers. Which is why standing in a stream is perfect for this method.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

I was always a fan of straights, but recently, I find myself buying and enjoying bents as well. I think both have a place. A couple years ago, I had never even purchased a bent.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

I wasn't trying to say that bents are bad, or that they have no place in a pipe rotation. I have a few bents in mine rotation too.

I was simply extolling the virtues of the straight. Especially to those who refuse to consider straight pipes because they are so devoted to their bents. And, I wanted to extol the particular virtue of the straight, especially to those who fish.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

So, is your avatar pic of you with the straight and the bowl in your mouth?

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

I'd say about 90% of my pipes are straights... I do enjoy them very much.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

"Umm...I think you're doing it wrong." LOL

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

Wow, that's odd. How about my hand up to my mouth with a cigar in my hand/mouth.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

kind of a non sequitur but it seems that full bearded men prefer bents, and shaven/mustached men prefer straights. anybody else notice that?

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

I have a full beard and haven't bought a bent pipe in years.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

I own both, it depends on the shape for me. Bulldogs are straight, billards are bent.

I drive with a 3/4 bent.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

You know, the whole point of my original post was about how you can smoke a straight pipe with the bowl upside down. And, that it is great when stream fishing in the rain.

You'd be surprised how much easier it is to light or relight while upside down

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

Do you use the same packing method you would normally use smoking it right-side up?

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

Pack it as you do normally. Initial light is right-side-up. And if you're going to tamp and re-light, sometimes you do loose some baccy when you do it upside down.

I have also found that it is sometimes easier to smoke to the bottom of the bowl. Smoke and heat naturally rise, so they rise into the unburnt tobacco when the pipe is up-side-down.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

Nice essay Todd!

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

Some say it's easier to color straight meerschaum bowls upside down.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

:tu:tu

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

What types of tobacco have you tried this with? Does the loose cut tobacco produce more falling embers than, say, a flake that's been packed without first being cut or torn into smaller pieces?

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

I don't know that I've really paid attention to that detail or not. I must say though, as I consider it, I think that when I've done this, I rubbed my flake out when smoking it this way. In fact, I predominantly rub my flakes out before filling.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

Interesting that this thread should be resurrected just before a stream fishing trip. I don't know that rain is in the forecast though.

Re: Straight pipes -vs- Bent (and fishing)
 

I discovered this little trick by accident shortly after I started smoking a pipe. I have found a pipe a little easier to manage on the boat while fishing than a cigar. Wet hands and rolled tobbacco don't really mix to well. I nice squall hit us and I grabbed the cigar to get it out of the way while pulling the anchor to dash for cover. My intent was to not fill up the bowl with water, but then I found that the thing was still lite. Sweet!

Have a great time fishing Todd! I'll be in the office most of today. Going to try to get out tomorrow afternoon after church though. Boo has been pounding on me to take her fishing. I guess there are worse things a daughter could be pestering a dad about :)