Yep,
When I was a young lad I use to watch my mother prepare fresh asparagus. She would grab the fresh asparagus with two hands and bend it until it snapped. The break point is where the asparagus turns woody at the bottom of the stalk. The top part will be the tenderest part.
To keep fresh asparagus moist inside after purchasing place the bottom portion in water until ready to cook. It will draw in the water to prevent the asparagus from getting limpy.