CRESSY CANE

UPDATED (February 2026)

UPDATE (January 2026) from David Hemmings

Overview from "Bamboo Dave" Hemmings

Hollowing Project Details - Chris Fiddes

Hollowing Information Compendium compiled by Chris Fiddes (Updated Jan 2026)
- Chris has updated his extensive compendium and Hollowing System

Table of Who is Building What for the Hollowing Project

Rod Library - other rods (preferably hollow!) being brought to Cressy Cane 2026

Cressy Cane 2026 Agenda
(UPDATED Jan 2026)

UPDATE (January 2026) from "Bamboo Dave" Hemmings…

G'Day Everyone

Here is the preliminary program for this years Cressy Cane. (CC) I believe that this years gathering will add another dimension to your rod making and understanding of Cane Rod action. Those of you that have attended before will know that CC is an opportunity to learn from each other and I think that this years Cane Rod Hollowing experiment will be a unique project that may completely change your rod making ideas - for ever !

Chris Fiddes has developed this project to measure the effect of different hollowing regimes on Hex Bamboo fly rods. We have many different rods with hollowing patterns to compare and contrast and it will be very interesting to see how these rods differ when tested and cast. There will be many hollowing regimes and patterns presented including a T- section ( easier to see a diagram than explain) a spiral double helix pattern and lots of variations in dam lengths and patterns. Additionally, the hollowed rods that are outside the parameters such as the Madake,multi piece, bamboo ferrules and so on will also add a fascinating element to the weekend.
Modern Makers such as Per Brandin, Bob Clay, Jeff Wagner, Nick Taransky and others have all developed hollowing regimes to improve traditional tapers. This will be an opportunity to understand why.

Peter Hayes- one of the Worlds best casters and instructors will provide expert advice and opinion. Nick Taransky with all his Master rod making experience provides valuable insight into all aspects of rod making and most importantly - Chef Jenni Girvan is flying in from Victoria to look after us.

The program is subject to minor change dependent on daily activities. I know that many of you have reserved a place for Cressy Cane.
Haysie is trying to find a break in his busy guiding schedule to get the online form updated but if you would like to reserve a place then you can email or text Peter on info@peterhayesflyfishing.com or 0409944699 or myself 0418426905

I think thats all for now. I will be in touch closer to the date with some pre-reading suggestions and an update.

Warm Regards

David ‘Bamboo” Hemmings

Overview from "Bamboo Dave" Hemmings…

We have settled on the above date for next years Cressy Cane.   As I write this -  we have had the most gorgeous Autumn days of cool nights and warm windless days.   It  is the best time of year in Tasmania.

As you know, We have a very interesting group project for next year.  Chris Fiddes has put a significant amount of thought and work into the Hollowing project.  The WhatsApp group is up and running and I see that there has been some interesting comments already. If you would like to join the watts app group ( even if you are not going to participate in the project ) - you need to contact Chris Fiddes who is the administrator ask to be added to the group. 

Chris has also documented an extraordinary Compendium of Hollow Rod building which has been sent out to you previously. ( you will have to contact Chris if you have not received this and would like a copy.) 

I would urge you to read this as background information to the project. I have attached  Chris’s proposal and the parameters of the project. Please read the parameters carefully for consistency of the project.  E.C Powell was a genius of hollowing techniques and it is worth studying his A. B. And C. Tapers which form the  foundation of his rod actions. 
I would also recommend Per Brandins superb book on EC Powell - A Fly Rod With a Soul if you can manage to get hold of a copy. 

For those that will be participating in the Hollowing project -There is a choice of Powells classic B9 taper in 8’0 or 8’6"
Some of you might choose to make both ?  For consistency  I will need to order Super Swiss ferrules  from Classic Sporting Enterprises- 13/64 or 14/64 ths and size 4 or 4.5  tip tops . 

It’s probably easier to contact me directly if you need to be included in the order - Contact me (David Hemmings) HERE.

I am excited that this exercise will form the basis for Cressy Cane. This unique project will add another dimension to your rod making. Personally , most of my rod making occurs in Winter ( although I do have 2 x Paul Young rods on the go ) but I look forward to seeing us all progress via the watts app group. 

Please contact me (David Hemmings) (or CHRIS)  if you have any further questions or need clarification 

Warmest Regards

Bamboo Dave 

Hollowing Project Details - Chris Fiddes

Cressy Cane Hollowing Experiment

“ All models are wrong , but some can be useful” ... for us to determine which are useful we require validation by experiment

Taper for Cressy Cane Hollowing Experiment are EC Powells B9 derived as per formula , and selected as it was designed for hollowing , is regarded as a classic taper and is freely available , guide spacing is as per published Powell rods.

Experiment proposal - to measure the effect of different Hollowing regimes on Hex Bamboo Fly Rods

Experiment Rods - makers choice of the above tapers made with the identical control parameters excepting hollowing method
- while quad , penta or other geometries are not the focus of this experiment they will be accepted in the subjective casting evaluation as long as taper conversion calculations are made available to the group and the rods are hollowed
Control Parameters to be made identical on each rod
- Bamboo = Tonkin
- Geometry = Hex
- Heat Treatment = medium flaming externally only
- 2 piece
- Nodes in 2x2x2 pattern
- Glue = epoxy
- Ferrule = truncated super swiss
- Guides = light wire Snakes with spacing as specified for taper
- Tip Top = light wire
- Stripper = light wire
- Wraps = silk , with no intermediate wraps
- Grip = 6 inch cork
- Reel Seat = 3 1/4 inch wood
- Reel Seat Hardware = Cap & Ring
- Finish = Gorilla Glue 3 coats with Varnish on wraps

Hollowing methods for experiment ;
1. Scallop & Dam
2. Shark Tooth
3. Level
4. Fluting
5. Magic Star
6. Any other novel method

Recommended Hollowing wall thickness
1. For 8’6” rods = 60 thou butt to 30 thou tip
2. For 8’ rods = 50 thou butt to 30 thou tip

Please make every effort to keep the Control Parameters identical but to experiment with hollowing as you see fit , any internal parameters are acceptable as long as they are documented for the experiment

A solid rod of each taper shall be the starting comparison ...please consider this a vital option for the experiment for those makers not wishing to hollow

A bulk order for all components will be made for each rod enrolled to keep these identical and to get the best price ( hopefully a little under most makers usual component purchase price )

For casting comparison and video analysis a standard reel and line shall be determined & used.

A WhatsApp group to discuss the build process will be open to all makers and attendees

Cressy Cane Hollowing Experiment

Testing
1. Weight
- whole rod
- sections
- Swing Weight as per Yellowstone Angler method

2. Deflection Curve - comparison to solid rod

3. Common Cents System

4. Catapult Recovery & Damping ( rod fixed vertical , loaded to 1/3 horizontal , catapult a weight equivalent to line rating & measure distance & then time til still of rod tip )

5. Video - overhead false casting by CCI or equivalent , at 30’ line , line weight as per CCS & line type determined by group consensus

6. Subjective Casting Evaluation by whole group
- standard line as per 5
- 3 casts determined by group consensus ( i.e accuracy , distance , mend or roll ) with a score for each

7. Rod Breaking by Overloaded Cast ( overlining & hero distance cast ) ... optional

Conclusion of Experiment with a One Cast fishing tournament using the experiment rods

UPDATED JAN 2026

9.30 Welcome and Introduction
David Hemmings

9.45 Morning Reading
David Anderson

10:00 Hollow Project Overview
Chris Fiddes
Chris will review the Hollowing Experiment and the parameters of the project followed by a round the room introduction of attendees and their method of hollowing techniques.

11:00 Morning Tea and Discussion

11:30 Continue with attendees hollowing methods and divide rods into …
Facilitator Required
- Group 1 - rods that meet the parameters of the Experiment and
- Group 2 - rods that do not meet the parameters. Eg. Madake. Multi piece, Bamboo ferrule.
Chris will review the Hollowing Experiment and the parameters of the project followed by a round the room introduction of attendees and their method of hollowing techniques.

12:30 Tasting Notes Review
Peter Hayes
Peter will discuss his method of assessing and recording notes for casting rods.

1:30 Lunch and Casting

2:00 Casting With Cane
Group
Compare and contrast rods from Group 1.

3:30 Deflection Curve Chart
Group
Always an interesting and valuable exercise to help evaluate rods.

4:15 Practical Demonstration
Garry "Hair" Castles
Practical demonstration of Dan Dempseys amazing Hollowing jig.

5.00 Generosity Gin and tonic at the casting pool
Group

• Possible visit to the Australian Flyfishing Museum

9.00 Morning Reading
David Anderson

9:15 Review of the Casting arc and how it relates to casting Cane rods.
Peter Hayes

10:15 Casting With Cane
Group
Compare and contrast rods from Group 2.

11:00 Morning Tea and Discussion

11:30 Casting With Cane
Group
Contrast and compare rods from Group 1 and Group 2.

12:30 Rod Testing
Group
Eg. Common cents. Catapult recovery… video…

1:30 Lunch and Casting

2:00 Group discussion on the merits of hollowing
Facilitator Required
Tapers that would benefit from hollowing and tapers that wouldn’t.
Progressive tapers v Parabolic tapers
Where to hollow? Butt only? Tip only? Under nodes? Under Reel seats ? How much material to remove and where from ?
Converting solid tapers to hollow Taper tweaking for fishing situations?

4:15 Hollowing styles compared
Facilitator Required
Fluting (straight tapered, scalloped)
D- section, T- section, Experimental geometries. Tooling methods.

4:15 Practical Demonstration
Garry "Hair" Castles
Demonstration of Dan Dempseys Four string binder

5.00 Generosity Gin and tonic at the casting pool
Group

9:00 Morning Reading
David Anderson

9:15 The Swedish Blonde
Gordon McGill
Gordon is the owner of a beautiful eight foot. 5 wt. Swedish blonde rod. It was a
favourite at a previous Cressy Cane and there was some discussion regarding if it was hollowed. Rather than cut the rod in 2 - Gordon has had the rod X-rayed and will show us the results.

9:30 Open Group Discussion
Facilitator Required
An open group question and answer session on any aspect of rod building. Eg- ferrules that pull off the rod. Glues. Finishing. Fixing hollowed rods.
What about the Balance point - and does it matter? Importing Cane?

11:00 Morning Tea and Discussion

11:30 Free Session
Group

12:30 Casting with Cane
Group

1:15 Lunch and Casting

2:00 Hollow Project Review
Chris Fiddes
Chris will lead a discussion on the Hollowing experiment and evaluate the results.
Vote for the favourite rod of the gathering.

3:00 Display of local Tasmanian burl for reel seats.
To be confirmed

3:30 Discussion for future workshops and feedback
David Hemmings

5.00 Gin and Tonic at Hayesies Creek
Group