My young friend Eddie brought up a few things from his late father Brian’s gear room, including a unique DIY pole paddle his father had made.

P1070014 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr

Poler Tom was a longtime friend of his dad and knew Eddie had brought that pole to the shop as a gift for him. It’s hard to get Tom up to the shop sometimes, but that precious memory stick did the trick. I even went the extra mile and gift wrapped it before he arrived.

P1100001 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr

Tom was excited to unwrap his Brian-made pole/paddle. Excited, then puzzled, then quite vocal with remarks about my parentage, character and lack of trustworthiness. I thought the duct taped “pole ends” were an especially thoughtful touch.

P1150001 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr

Eddie had brought me the two halves on an unfinished wood double blade his father had started.

P1070015 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr

A couple stringers scabbed on to make the two halves extended to pole-length and it was good enough for Tomfoolery. I even sleeved the still-square shafts with cardboard tubing so they felt round beneath the gift wrap. Pretty work, and a lot of wrapping paper, but nothing is too good for Tom.

P1150003 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr

After all that funsies I still have his 11 feet of pole paddle in the shop. Tom had excessive boatage on his truck racks, and no room left to strap on that object of desire. He was still laughing when he left. Or maybe he was once again shouting “You A$$@#%”; he has proven capable of doing both at the same time on occasion.

P1150004 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr

Tom has promised to bring me the worn out ’91 glass Explorer I first rebuilt for him 20 years ago, regunwaled and outfitted three-seated as a family canoe when his daughters were young. Until he comes back to fetch it I am free to have my way with Tom’s pole; it does need a light sanding and coat of sealant.

I think I heard his wife say mutter something similar once, albeit involving less sanding and more cutting.