I know Bill Oyster and have had the opportunity to fish with him and I think I can safely say that, as much of an artist/craftsman as he is, he would rather be fishing and using his gear than making rods. I appreciate that, especially in a bamboo rod maker. Too many bamboo rod guys turn into collectors and their rods hang on a wall or in a display cabinet. That's completely unacceptable to me! If I spent $10,000 on a Garrison, Gillum or Hoagy Carmichael I'd still fish that sucker, just like Everett Garrison meant for it to be doing! They're FISHING RODS people!! Fish 'em hard!
And like Bill said, he's the maker. If he breaks a rod he can repair or make another. It's not a Ming Dynasty pot. I take great care with all my gear because I'm not rich and I'm not a rod maker but I also recognize that they are rods and reels meant for FISHING not admiring in my living room.
LG