Bringing Flies To Life: Tommy Lynch's Drunk & Disorderly
By Paul Beel, from Frankenfly.com
I want to begin by saying that I am excited to be writing a column for North 40 Fly Shop! With my primary focus being fly tying, I have known for years what a great and knowledgeable staff they have and how they keep their fingers on the pulse of the fly tying world.
New Materials Announcements for Streamer Junkies
With that said, I thought I would mention a few materials and a fly that have been on fire in popularity lately. If you're a streamer junkie, this is a good time to be alive! Two new threads have recently been released, both in the size of 140 Denier: Danville 140 and Veevus Power Thread being the two offerings. I've tied with both and they are, indisputably, quality threads. Previously, I have consistently used UTC 140 and I was accustomed to the stretch it featured. Neither the Danville or Veevus have that stretch, but they do a great job of grasping the materials and latching them down.
However, I don't believe either of these threads are any better than the other. What it comes down to is personal preference. You cannot go wrong with either thread when tying streamers. My recommendation would be to pick up a couple of spools, put them to the test, and decide for yourself.
Another new material has recently been released, which I think has been long overdue. That would be the Kiley's Slow Rolla Tails by Jonathan Kiley. The material used to produce these tails is latex. Some people may say products like these are turning our flies into bait, but I disagree. If they are light enough and can be tied in like other synthetics, it just adds to the creativity and the fun you can have as a fly tier.
Kiley offers spiked tails and normal smooth spiral tails in various sizes. They move just like you would expect them to move in the water. They have a terrific action and they entice the fish, no doubt about it! I have already incorporated a smooth tail into an articulated streamer of my own.
Tommy Lynch's Drunk & Disorderly Fly Pattern
Now, I would like to move on to discuss a specific fly. I plan to continue to do this, so I hope you enjoy it. This time, I would like to start with a streamer since we are already on the subject. Tommy Lynch's Drunk & Disorderly has been extremely popular with fly tiers, especially in the last year. The Drunk & Disorderly is also tied in a mini version and a triple articulated version. I'm going to stick with the Double, for the sake of simplicity. The Double D is an articulated streamer with a wedge-shaped, deer's hair head.
The wedge shaped head, coupled with a 60 degree jig hook, makes this streamer have a very erratic action. I have noticed this recognizable head so many times while keeping up with social media in the last year, so it didn't take long to recognize its attraction with fly tiers. For example, I have included a photo of a D&D tied by Andreas Anderson to better show you the head on this fly. To better understand the origin and action of this fly, here is a more detailed explanation from originator, Tommy Lynch.
"Origins for the Double D were the need to pick locks on the Upper Manistee in short width trenches, but also to add new and neutral actions in and around the logs that seem to house most of the population up there. What I wanted was a high action fly in a shortened space, and what better example of this than a Rapala."
While fishing the Double D, you can fish it with a short, but sharp strips to get a "jerk-bait" like action that is likely the most deadly for the commitment factor as it leaves pause and; therefore, opportunity when it comes to rest neutral in the water column.
Lynch’s Drunk & Disorderlies are allowed to "Swim Out" instead of just being "jigged" again and again for more action; each way you go, it usually does 4 others! Having a wedge causes inconsistent points of recovery because the fly is being pulled from the opposite angle each time you strip, leaving no rhythm or continued direction in its retrieval back to the boat or your person-Hence Drunk & Disorderly."
Tommy provides more information about the pattern on the FrankenFly website. I hope you take away not only useful information from this column, but also some inspiration to tie up a fly of your own design. You should also be following the North 40 Fly Shop YouTube channel where the guys post some amazing patterns and provide inspiration and ingenuity on a regular basis. Until next time, keep bringing those flies to life!
DRUNK & DISORDERLY FLY TYING MATERIALS LIST
Rear Hook: Gamakatsu B10S Size 2: 1
Tail: Schlappen or Whiting American Saddle Hackles
Flash: Polar Flash, Holographic or Regular Flashabou of choice
Rear Body 1: UV Polar Chenille
Rear Body 2: "Skinny Rabbit" 3-4 Wraps
Overwing: Mallard Flank or Guinea Fowl
Connection: AFW Surflon or Rio Powerflex Wire Bite w/ 2-3 6 to 8MM Beads
Front Hook: Gamakatsu JIG 60 Degree Flat Eye RB Size 2/0-4/0
Flash: Polar Flash, Holographic or Regular Flashabou of choice
Front Body 1: Rabbit Wrapped
Front Body 2: UV Polar Chenille
Rattle: Medium Size
Overwing: Mallard Flank or Guinea Fowl
Flash: Polar Flash, Holographic or Regular Flashabou of choice
Front Body 3: Rabbit Wrapped
Collar: Deer Hair
Head: Deer Hair
"Enhancements": Clear Cure Goo Hydro
Eyes: 3D Eyes glued on using GEL Super Glue