Updated November 2026 to include.
Cormorant
Pattern Overview
The Cormorant fly pattern is a simple, slim, black trout fly that’s become one of the most reliable modern UK reservoir patterns. Its strength lies in subtlety: it doesn’t imitate one specific insect, but it convincingly suggests buzzers, midges, nymphs, fry, or even corixa, making it a fly that imitates everything.
Pattern Details
Some flies shout for attention. The Cormorant doesn’t. It’s a quiet, understated pattern that has earned a permanent place in the fly boxes of anglers across the UK. Slim, dark, and deceptively simple, the Cormorant is one of those flies that seems to work when nothing else does — a “nothing fly that imitates everything.”
At its heart, the Cormorant is built around suggestion rather than imitation. It doesn’t try to copy a specific insect. Instead, it hints at all the small, dark things trout feed on: buzzers, midges, nymphs, tiny fry, even corixa. That subtle profile, paired with the natural movement of a soft marabou wing, makes it irresistible to fish feeding high in the water or cruising just under the surface film.
The Cormorant is one of those patterns that quietly earns your trust. It doesn’t look like much, but it consistently catches fish especially when trout are playing hard to get.
Tying Materials
- Hook Size: 10-14
- Thread: Glo Bright number 4 Orange
- Body: Opal Mirage Tinsel
- Ribbing: Fine Red Wire
- Wing: Black Marabou
Pattern Gallery
Target Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Best Seasons & Conditions
Warm days, late summer evenings, or calm conditions.
It’s a brilliant tiny fry imitation.
Especially good in September and October but can be fished at any time of the year.
Water Types
This pattern works on any body of water that has trout in it.
Presentation & Retrieval Tips
Washing line setup, slow figure of eight, almost static on a floating line or pulled on an intermediate. All work for this fly pattern.
Cat’s Whisker Cormorant
Pattern Details
The Cat’s Whisker Cormorant combines two proven trout catching patterns into one highly effective fly. It marries the slim fish catching profile of a traditional Cormorant with the bright visual triggers of a Cat’s Whisker. This makes it an excellent searching pattern, especially when trout are willing to chase but are not fully committed to natural food items.
Tying Materials
- Hook Size: 10-14
- Thread: Glo Bright Green
- Body: Green Tinsel
- Ribbing: Fine Green or Red Wire
- Wing: White Marabou
Presentation & Retrieval Tips
Always start slowly. The Cat’s Whisker Cormorant often fishes better with a gentle figure-of-eight than a fast retrieve.
If trout are following but not taking, slow down before changing flies.
Conversely, if fish are actively chasing fry, don’t be afraid to speed things up with short, sharp strips.
Most Productive Retrieve: Slow to medium figure-of-eight
Best Depth: Top 6 feet of water
Best Position on Cast: Top dropper or point fly when trout are chasing fry.
Best Seasons & Conditions
The Cat’s Whisker Cormorant is most effective during:
- Early Spring (March to May) when trout are actively searching for food after winter.
- Autumn (September to November) as fish feed heavily before water temperatures drop.
- Winter can also be productive, particularly on stocked fisheries where trout respond well to bright attractor patterns.
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