Hey all,
A friend showed me two beautiful T&T bamboo rods (circa 1940's??)in like new condition.His uncle, a physician, had been a fly fisherman and had indulged himself in this area .Being childless,he gave the rods to my friend's dad prior to his death,to pass on to my friend and his brother. My friend's father passed away after suffering from Alzheimer's for a number of years. When Jim inquired about the rods his mother told him his father had given them away to an aquaitance of the father's who told the father the rods were nice conversation pieces but worthless. This aquaitance clearly took advantage of jim's dad. By the way' Jim's dad was a retired FBI regional director so we're talking about someone that had a pretty sharp mind when not comprimised by the alzheimer's. I can't believe someone would stoop that low. My friend's not a hard core flyfisherman so the value of the rods to him came more from the legacy of his uncle and connection to family.
I'm not sure why I'm posting this . I guess ,in part, my experiences with fly fishermen, especially cane lovers, have been so positive it's hard to imagine a wolf among us. I guess that's pretty naive for someone my age ( and my profession) but so it goes.
Okay, I'm done ranting.
Best,
Steve

I'd go to the acquaintance and tell him that the rods were ment to stay in the family and the father gave them up mistakenly due to the illness. I'd say that "I know you said the rods were worthless, but to me they have sentimental value and would like them back...since there're worthless".

Don't think this is being petty. If he had the odacity to pull that shit, why not return the favor. I had to do something similar - request an hierloom - and although it was uncomfortable, I knew my request was not out of line.

I know this may sound trite, but "things" should not matter......it is the peoples memories left behind that do.

As I get older (and I'm only 39) I more and more realize that the statement above is true. I have seen more blood spilled and relationships loss in my time (friends and family) over some "thing" that someone did or did not get when someone else passed on.....all the time forgetting the memory of the person.

I'm sure the rod was beautiful, but forget it. Find a picture of the guy and raise a beer to him on your next fishing trip.

Very sad pelcrk... and I agree with Dmann's comments as well. It can serve as a good lesson to learn . My wife's great aunt was a widow of a man who collected a tremendous amt. of antique porcelin. After he passed her condition went down hill quickly. Fortunately, her attorney/executor of the estate had catalogued everything in her home and nothing was allowed to be "given" away to anyone, friends or family. Cannot say it was all accounted for but it kept any unscrupulous person from taking advantage of her.

QUOTE

I'm sure the rod was beautiful, but forget it. Find a picture of the guy and raise a beer to him on your next fishing trip.

Or maybe you'll see the guy on the river, and you can ask if you can cast the rod to see how nice your uncle's rod was and you can say "I'm sure my uncle would have wanted you to have these to enjoy"

Keith,
It was a friend of mine that this happened to . I don't think he's likely to do anything, it's water under the bridge to him. I was just taken by how low some people can stoop ,but thanks for your comments.
Best,
Steve

I would suggest this to your friend. Try to find out if he still has the rods. If he does, then ask him to return them - for the reasons stated in the above posts. If he refuses, your friend should just tell him that's fine or OK, but that theywill be meeting in Court. If the rods are gone, well, your friend could tell him what he thought of him and his unethical behavior.

I had a simmilar situation. It makes me mad