The Ogden Cormorant

🎣 The Cormorant Fly: A Stillwater Staple for UK Trout Fishing

If you’ve spent any time on UK reservoirs or stillwaters, you’ve likely heard whispers about the Cormorant fly pattern—and for good reason. This sleek, understated mini lure has earned its place among the top trout flies for stillwater fishing, especially in competition fly fishing circles.

The beauty of the Cormorant lies in its versatility. It doesn’t imitate any one aquatic insect, but it suggests everything from buzzers and nymphs to fry and even snails. That ambiguity makes it deadly effective across a range of conditions.

🧵 Fly Tying Essentials

• Hook: Size 10–12, often a Kamasan B175
• Body: Thin strand of black-dyed peacock herl or Chartreuse Micro Fritz
• Rib: Fine wire or holographic tinsel for flash
• Wing: Sparse black marabou, just enough to breathe life into the fly
• Optional: Goose biot cheeks or fluorescent hotspots for added attraction

💡 Fishing Techniques

• Fish it static on a floating line to mimic emerging buzzers
• Use a slow figure-of-eight retrieve to suggest a nymph or fry
• Pair it with blobs or boobies on a multi-fly rig—Cormorants on the droppers often get the take when trout turn from the attractor

📍 Best Locations

• Proven on UK venues like Rutland Water, Grafham Reservoir, and Lochter Fishery
• Ideal for stillwater trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout in both stocked and wild settings

🔍 SEO Keywords Included: Cormorant fly pattern, stillwater trout flies, UK reservoir fishing, fly tying materials, black marabou wing, holographic rib, trout fly fishing UK, buzzer imitation, nymph fly pattern, competition fly fishing, floating line tactics, multi-fly rig, trout lures UK, fly fishing for rainbow trout, best flies for UK reservoirs

Want to build this into a full blog post or video tutorial? I can help you layer in conservation messaging, gear recommendations, or even a story-driven intro to connect with your audience.