The Classics: Cormorant

[bigdon01]

The Cormorant

The Cormorant was given its name by Graham Pearson, who discovered it when he was acting as a boatman in an England youth international. It was on a very difficult day, on which one of his anglers caught 3 fish on the fly by fishing a short line of 20 yards on a sinking line and drawing it back. The youth who used this fly is still to this day, unknown.
The Cormorant is a basic fly that should be in every angler’s box. It’s just one of those flies that can catch when nothing else can. The cormorant can be fished in many ways. It can be fishing on a floating line with a slow figure of eight, to represent a nymph, or stripped back as fast as you can as a lure on a Hi-D line. It can be fished as a team or on its own.

The original Cormorant

Hook: B175 size 10
Body: peacock herl
Wing: black marabou

Green glo brite varient

Hook: B175 size 10
Tail: glo brite floss lime green
Body: glo brite floss lime green
Rib: mirror flash
Wing: black marabou

And my favorite one of the lot

Hook: B175 size 12
Body: glo brite floss lime green
Wing: White marabou

that was my first classics thread so take it easy on me please, i know the photos are not perfect but they should give you an idea of what the flies look like.



now lets see all your versions!!!

[maharg]

A great wee fly, like to fish it on a dropper with a mini lure on the point.

[Mrtrout]

Very nice Don, you think they are bad photos, you want to see mine.
S.

[muddler9]

A bit of background information would be interesting. Does anyone know its history ?
Don't use it myself, I've already got far too many patterns.

[silversedge]

My favourite variation,

[bigdon01]

Originally Posted by muddler9

A bit of background information would be interesting. Does anyone know its history ?
Don't use it myself, I've already got far too many patterns.

I did try searching it on google but did not find anything. If anyone does know the origins they could pm me and I will edit it in.

[Scratch]

Good on ya for contributing to the 'Classics' Bigdon.

Is it a lure? A 'wet fly'? A nymph? fry? It's all of those, and more.....

The Cormorant is a wicked wee fly.. most versatile too. It'll catch in most conditions, on most waters, and in any month of the year. It'll do a grand job on any line, anywhere on the cast. Fish a team of three or four, or in conjunction with blobs, lures, nymphs. Slow, fast, you name it. It's a rare day indeed when the Cormaorant fails to tempt a fish or 5.

The movement and pulse of the Marabou is a key trigger, but keep them on the sparse side for maximum 'suggestability'. 'Layering' two or three colours in the wing can also help create and exagerate the illusion of movememnt.

I like to add a wee throat of hen, or sometimes a couple of complete turns, just to add a little extra movement. Seems to balance it up a little for me. Not that a fly with this track record needs any help from me. Just my personal twist.

Here's a couple of examples..

Olive

Hook: Kamasan b175 8,10,12
Rib: Clear or dark Olive spanflex (clear with this one)
Body: Mix - Olive hare's ear, 'Sun Yellow' rabbit, plain hare's ear.
Wing: Marabou Mix - Olive,Golden Olive, Dark Olive, layered light to dark.
Head Hackle: Dark 'Brown olive' hen.
Cheeks: JC splits dyed chartreuse.
Thread: 'Brown olive' UTC 70

Black & Green

Hook: Kamasan b175 8,10,12
Rib: Green Holographic.
Body: Black Seals fur.
Wing: Marabou Mix - Black & Damsel olive
Head Hackle: Grizzle hen dyed dark olive.
Cheeks: JC splits dyed chartreuse.
Thread: Black UTC 70.

Hare's Ear

Hook: Kamasan b175 8,10,12
Rib: Red Holographic.
Body: Hare's Ear.
Wing: Marabou - Golden Olive (Castle Feathers)
Head Hackle: Furnace hen.
Cheeks: JC splits.
Thread: 'Brown olive' UTC 70

[finseeker]

Originally Posted by muddler9

A bit of background information would be interesting. Does anyone know its history ?
Don't use it myself, I've already got far too many patterns.

graham pearson named and evolved the fly but didn't invent it, that remains a mystery according to ff&ft march 2008
would like to tell/learn more but half the text is missing as its on the back of a compition entry form

btw great looking flies

[maharg]

Originally Posted by finseeker

graham pearson named and evolved the fly but didn't invent it, that remains a mystery according to ff&ft march 2008
would like to tell/learn more but half the text is missing as its on the back of a compition entry form

btw great looking flies

That was a good article,by Mick Huffer, will dig it out and get some info from it later.

[3lbgrayling]

Cracking flies Guys.will need to tie some.

Jim