Bodkin / Patterns

Booby Cormorant

Dry Fly · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Wet-fly / stillwater hook (Kamasan B175 or similar), 10-12
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Eyes Closed-cell foam booby eyes, small (1 pair)
  • Wing/tail Black marabou (one shank length)
  • Body Peacock herl or black holographic tinsel (2-3 strands / 1 length)
  • Rib (optional) Fine pearl or red holographic tinsel (1 length)

How to tie it

  1. Tie in the small foam booby eyes at the head with figure-8 wraps and round the ends.
  2. Take the thread to the bend and tie in a slim black marabou wing/tail about one shank length long (a cormorant is deliberately sparse and slim).
  3. Tie in the body material (peacock herl or fine holographic tinsel) and, if using, a fine rib.
  4. Wind the body forward to just behind the eyes, then counter-wind the rib for durability, and figure-8 the thread around the eyes.
  5. Whip finish in front of the eyes and varnish.

Tying videos

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