CRESSY CANE

A Celebration of Australian Bamboo Rodmaking

2021 Photo Gallery

Click on photos to view larger images and captions

The group at 2023 Cressy Cane

A hat to Cap off the event...

River workshop with Naoto Shibuya

Japanese Artisan Tackle

Fly tying for the LDL technique

Fred gets some pointers from Master Caster Tomonori Higashi

Dawn on the casting pond

Dusk on Brumbies Creek

Flies and Lies

Lamda Dun on Four Springs

Grip shaping on the Sherline

Tomo with his gift

Naoto with his gift

Fine food with Jen G!

Cutting the mystery culm!

Flaming the mystery culm!

Madake rods on display

More Madake

Bamboo Dave at the whiteboard

Show and tell

Handcrafted Japanese Koba reels

Our esteemed guests, Naoto Shibuya and Tomonori Higashi

David Anderson's readings are always a highlight.

Urushi laquer demonstration

Mapping rod actions

Talking and Casting...

Program of Events

Long Leader DriftTechnique.( L.L.D.T.). Bill and Naoto will start with a presentation of the LLDT. This extraordinary method of fishing is designed to presentthe fly in fast current without drag.
Naoto Shibuya &Bill Higashi

Long Leader Drift Technique cont.
Here we will look in more detail at the system -
The Rod and Reel
The Line
The Leader
The Flies
Naoto Shibuya &Bill Higashi

The Variable Casting Arc
Understanding the physics of the Variable Casting Arc is a
fundamental requirement to casting well with fully bending
rods.
Peter Hayes

Casting with Cane - Long Drift Leader Technique.
A practical session on casting fully bending rods.
Peter Hayes & Bill Higashi

A History of Australian Bamboo Rod Makers.
James Jones and Fred von Reibnitz have been collating this
neglected and very important history of Australian rod
makers. James will present an update to the group.
James Jones & Fred von Reibnitz

Japanese Flytying
Naoto will demonstrate some of the specialised flies used in
LDL technique.
Bill Higashi

Madake Cane
We will discuss the properties of this beautiful
material and the practical implications for rod
Nick Taransky and others.

The Japanese Tackle Craft.
Bill will present some beautiful Japanese tackle
including rods, reels and nets.
Bill Higashi and Nick Taransky

Fish Photography
Naoto will explain his approach for taking good fish
photos. He takes considerable trouble to position fish
for maximum effect. Light. Background. Strike the
Pose.Click.
Naoto Shibuya

Flyfishing Cane rods in Michigan USA
A change of scenery as Nick presents on his invited
trip to the Michigan Rod gathering.
Nick Taransky

Urishi Lacquer Technique
Naoto will demonstrate the ancient Urushi lacquer
application that he believes is the best varnish finish
in the world.
Naoto Shibuya

2023 Cressy Cane - 1 - 3 April

What an extraordinary 4 days that we had at Cressy Cane 2023.

When I think of highlights from the weekend - I hardly know where to start. When we started Cressy Cane in 2014 we wanted to Celebrate the world of Making Bamboo Rods. For me it has always been about sharing knowledge and learning from each other.

We have some outstanding participants that contribute to this experience but at this years event we were astonished and privileged to host our Japanese friends - Naoto Shibuya and Tomonori ‘Bill’ Higashi. Astonished because we witnessed the worlds best caster of the extraordinary Long Drift Leader technique and privileged because combined with Bills knowledge of casting and teaching ( and translation ) we were able to appreciate the essential skill and elements to the system. We were all fortunate to be there.

Some highlights….
• Naoto Shibuya and Tomonori ‘Bill’ Higashi. Naoto and Bill have inspired us with their excellence. The design of their fuller bending rods and absolutely exquisite finish provoked much discussion about the casting technique.
• The Generosity and positive contribution of all that attended. It is a unique experience to have so many skilled individuals in one room- to share , to discuss and educate each other.
• All of the presentations. What a privilege to start the day with a carefully chosen reading from David Anderson. His ability to connect the prose, the emotion and the beautiful world of Bamboo rods, Trout and Flyfishing was mesmerising.
• Peter Hayes casting knowledge and boundless enthusiasm for teaching adds a very special element to Cressy Cane.
• Nick Taransky who inspires us all to improve and understand our rod making.
• The Rods of course. What a golden opportunity to cast so many different rods and tapers. I now have 13 rods on my ‘build list’
• The Food. Thankyou once again Chef Jen for looking after us with delicious meals all day - every day.

The next Cressy Cane is planned for 2025. In 2024, the Iaugural "Kiwi Cane is planned for the North Island of New Zealand... Check out the following site for more infoation...

https://www.kiwicane.com

Finally, I would like to add a Biography of contemporary Bamboo Rod makers to the Cressy Cane website. This would include an interview and photos of rods workshop etc so you may be contacted to see if you would like to be included. Kindest Regards

BD

(The Program of Events for the year is listed here with the Gallery images below)