How to tie the Traffic Light Cormorant

If you are just getting started out in fly tying or indeed fly fishing on small or large Stillwaters then this fly is an absolute must have! It would certainly be included in my desert island fly box. It can be fished in a multitude of different styles from slow to fast retrieves and although I have included it in both my wet flies and lure flies playlists this is one of those flies for all seasons.
It can bring fish from nowhere and is deadly on the hang. The real strength of the fly pattern though is its simplicity. It is an achievable fly for any fly tier and with practice more elements could be added to make the pattern your own. Have fun with it and let me know how you get on in the comments section below.

[@thefella131]

👍👍👍

[@kevinjtoner]

Looks like a winner!……. Thank you Lindsay!!! 👍🎣

[@lindsayiflyfish]

It is!

[@rmonty8270]

Another nice pattern. Thanks for sharing.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Most welcome pal.

[@thomasfischer1601]

Production quality, sound and video are top notch, video quality is awesome. The video content has always been stellar. I appreciate your hard work. Lots of felt benefit from watching your videos from here on the left side of the pond in the US. Cheers

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Thomas, I will be sampling some of the fine fishing you have in a couple of weeks. Going to Michigan for a few days fishing 🎣

[@thomasfischer1601]

@@lindsayiflyfish Hope the fish are cooperative. have fun!

[@paulhawkins4819]

Really appreciate the new material call out. Nice touch Lindsay

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Cheers pal, I think I will stick with that format for now.

[@pauljohnsontwonoviceangler6170]

Enjoyed that. Thanks.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Good stuff 👍

[@michamielczarek6740]

👍

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Nice fly!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

👍

[@Naplesbackcountry]

Stellar advice with the super glue when using silk on super slick black nickel hooks. I have had the entire fly rotate on the shank!😂

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Nothing worse than a dressing that spins around the shank. 👍

[@derekcunningham9993]

Nice tye . Have a few varients in my box. Along with a few Bach varients. Both fairley similar and fished in the same way.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Can’t go wrong Derek 👍

[@markrobinson3841]

A great pattern Lindsay. Hope your keeping well mate.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Not so bad Mark thanks for having a wee look👍

[@petergilbey971]

Great tie will be having a go at this first chance I get

[@lindsayiflyfish]

You won't regret it Peter.

[@newflyrod1]

Another solid fly 🪰, do you ever add a tail to your cormorants. Sincerely appreciate you sharing your knowledge 👍

[@lindsayiflyfish]

If I add a tail I don’t refer to them as cormorants. I have tried with a sunburst orange tail but it was not great. I suspect it’s a confidence thing.

[@kerrypitt9789]

Lindsey what about using that lazer edge fiber optic material instead of red tinsel, just to add a new feature to the pattern? It does not create light but it transmits ambient light quite well. Would this be legal in your competition regs? I'm pretty sure that fish hit these really hard, because they think it is a leech and for some reason, they always hit leeches hard!! I really like your layered Mylar rib, that is a great idea. Well tied! Here's a "Thing," Lindsay, tidy fingernails are essential in an instructional video like this. I know it probably makes no sense, but it was something I heard in a presentation on being a Creator. If you go in close on a pattern and see chewed, chapped fingernails, it is really a distraction. You end up wondering if he was buried alive and dug his way out! So I just wanted to point it out. Lots of people will shake their heads, but experts way better than me say the same thing so I know I'm not alone. Sorry about my absence, I'm back and playing some catch up this old body of mine is feeling the abuse I heaped on it back when I was invincible.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Cormorants have so many variations Kerry you could not possibly have them all. I have several that I favour some with cheeks some with just a simple wire rib. They all work, I maintain that fly tying is more for anglers. The fish don't mind, the key to my mind is depth, and speed of retrieve. Once you have those locked in fishing is easy, except when its not.....lol. The aches and pains come to us all pal, just getting over a prolonged attack of gout! Not pleasant, anyhoo you stay strong pal.

[@kerrypitt9789]

@@lindsayiflyfish Lindsay I mostly agree with things you say and do. The Cormorant should be tied to fish local colors. I used to fish a lake that has since changed its name. It used to be Chinaman Lake after an indigenous fellow whose last name was "Chinaman," Lake. The Canadian Chinese society decided to take offence so I think it is called Pike Minnows Lake now, it is a long way away from here. It was loaded with Rainbows that were very large. The Leeches had a yellow stripe down each side of a leech. A marabou leach with yellow on each side did the trick. There were also a lot of Bears out there. One day we saw seven black bears just wandering along the shoreline. The same day just as we were getting ready to pack our tubes out we heard a shot! Just up the trail. A guy with his rifle strolled in to where we were. He had come across a Grizzly Bear and shit a rock that was under the bear, it frightened the bear away. Guys did this not wishing to kill the bear, but rather to scare it. The bears must have a negative view of people each time it encounters one so they do not get too brave. Of course if the best would allow me to brush it out, I could probably tie flies with it......😱🤣💩😭💩

[@markrickard6728]

Hi Lindsay, could you tell me if comp candy trout flies are still open for business? Been on their website but nothing is coming up. Thanks

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Mark, I believe he has recently ceased trading due to personal reasons.

[@markrickard6728]

@@lindsayiflyfish Thanks for getting back so soon Lindsay. That's a shame. You said your off to Rutland Waters tomorrow, I'm there Thursday till Monday👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@markrickard6728 The event was cancelled pal so won't be getting up anytime soon.