Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the Poles made of?
All poles are made from Aluminum tube.
What's on the ends?
The ends are made of a type of plastic called Delrin. The delrin plug is partially turned down to fit tightly inside the aluminum tube while the part that is exposed is flush with the outside. A pin is screwed into the end of the Delrin to give better purchase on the river bottom.
Since the pole is Aluminum, will it sink or float?
The tube is hollow and the Derin plugs seal the ends so water cannot enter. The air inside causes the pole to float if dropped into the water.
What about the 2-piece Pole? Will it float?
Yes. The middle ends are plugged as well deeper inside the tube to allow space for the snap-button splice. There is still sufficient trapped air to float the pole.
Can the pins be replaced when they wear out?
Yes. The pins will eventually wear out with heavy use over time, but it will take awhile. When they do, they are easily replaced by unscrewing the pin using the nut at it's base. New pins are available from our catalogue, or your local hardware store. They are a 3/8, grade 5 bolt. After the new pin is screwed into the Delrin plug (remember to put the old nut and washer on first and in that order!), the head of the bolt needs to be removed (a hacksaw or other metal cutting tool will do the job). You now have a new pin and many more river trips with your Pole.
I've kinked my Pole when it got pinned between rocks. What can I do? Do I have to buy a new Pole?
No, not necessarily. Poles that are bent but not kinked can often be straightened, by utilizing a fork in a tree and carefully applying pressure against the bend to straighten it. If there is an actual kink in the tube, the kink can be cut out with a pipe cutter (available at your hardware store) and a splice glued in with epoxy. Splice kits and instructions are available from our catalogue. (This will make your pole somewhat shorter, but many Polers prefer a shorter pole for the decreased weight and ease of swing.)
I've been able to get a 1-piece aluminum tube where I live. Can I get the Delrin plugs and pins from you?
Yes. However, the aluminum tube will need to be 1 and 1/8 inches (1.125") in the outside diameter. Aluminum tubes are sold by the outside diameter and the Delrin plug needs to be milled to fit snugly inside the tube, whose inside diameter can vary from one production run to another. Therefore, you will have to measure the inside diameter with a caliper to the thousandth of an inch (or have someone familiar with such measuring do it for you). This information needs to be conveyed to us so that we can custom mill the Delrin to fit your Pole.
