CRESSY CANE

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

Program Details are taking shape at the moment. There will be lots of presentations, casting, and discussion around the hollowing project, but there will be plenty of time to cover other topics as well.

9.30 Welcome and Introduction
David Hemmings

9.45 Morning Reading
David Anderson

Details TBA…

5.00 Gin and Tonic at the casting pool.
Group

9.45 Morning Reading
David Anderson

Details TBA…

5.00 Gin and Tonic at the casting pool.
Group

9.45 Morning Reading
David Anderson

Details TBA…

5.00 Gin and Tonic at the casting pool.
Group