Myths and legends

Several Asian cultures, including that of the Andaman Islands, believe that humanity emerged from a bamboo stem.

In the Philippine creation myth, legend tells that the
first man and the first woman each emerged from split bamboo stems on an island created after the battle of the elemental forces (Sky and Ocean).

In Malaysian legends a similar story includes a man who dreams of a beautiful woman while sleeping under a bamboo plant; he wakes up and breaks the bamboo stem, discovering the woman inside.

If you follow the following pointers your rod will provide years of pleasure and excitement.

• Always transport your rod in a protective case.
• The rod should be the last thing out of your vehicle when you are getting prepared to fish. Put on you waders, vest, etc. Then get your rod out and assemble it. Upon returning to the vehicle, immediately disassemble the rod and store it. Then take off waders, vests, etc. This is a rule that should never be violated!
• Upon arriving home, remove the rod from the case and clean it. Wiping it down is usually sufficient. Wipe off the ferrules and wipe out the female ferrule. This will make the rod easier to assemble for the next trip. Stand the rod sections up in a rack, or lay the sections out on a flat surface on a dry towel that is out of harm's way. After the rod is dry, it should be stored in a dry, safe location out of extreme heat. Storing it in the rod case or tube may be okay, but pop off the cap to allow the rod to breathe (get air).
• Never lubricate the ferrules. A proper cleaning of the ferrules with a dry paper towel after each fishing trip should be sufficient.
• When assembling the rod, do not use any force. Do not twist the rod! If the ferrules are forced together, they will likewise be extremely difficult to pull apart. Line the flats of the sections together or line up the guides. Hold the butt section in one hand and the tip section in the other. The hands should be close. Be careful that the hands do not slip and mash down the guides.
• To disassemble the rod, make sure your hands are dry. Remove gloves as they may cause your hands to slip. Hold the butt section with one hand and the tip section with the other. Make sure the hands are some distance apart, as this allows for a straighter pull. The rod must be level (straight). If the reel is still on the rod, find a support for it before attempting to pull the sections apart. If the rod does not come apart smoothly, it may help to use pullers made of shelf liner material, one section in each hand.
• Be extremely careful when fishing bead head flies. A good whop on the rod with a bead head can break a rod, either graphite or bamboo.
• Never attempt to dislodge a fly with your rod. If you get hung, make sure there is no tension on the rod. Then grab the line above the rod tip to attempt to free the fly. Losing a fly and tippet is not a tragedy. Breaking a rod trying to free a fly is!
• Never lean your rod against a vehicle. This is an invitation for disaster. Be very careful about laying your rod on top of a vehicle as well. Remember Murphy's Law!

We hope these tips help you in enjoying many favorable experiences with your rods.