Poul Jorgensen (above) was one of the world's great fly tiers.

Poul Jorgensen died November 29, 2004, in his sleep at his home in Roscoe, New York, on the banks of Willowemoc Creek. He was 78.

Perhaps the world's best-known fly tier, Jorgensen practiced fly tying daily until his death. Indicative of his philosophy, he was often heard to say, "when you feel your fly tying cannot improve, it's time to get rid of your tying stuff and take up golf."

Born and raised in Odense, Denmark, Jorgensen made his home in the United States for over 45 years. Best known for his work with Atlantic salmon flies, Jorgensen was also a talented and innovative tier of salt flies, ultra-realistic flies, bass bugs, and trout flies. He taught angling, authored books, lectured, and produced videos until his death.

In 1969 at age 44, Jorgensen left his engineering job and made fly tying his full-time profession. In 1973 he published his first book, Dressing Flies for Fresh and Salt Water. He has since authored five additional works including his famous Salmon Flies, Their Character, Style and Dressing. In 1980 on his way home to Baltimore from a fishing trip in New Hampshire he passed through Roscoe, New York, and spotted a small fishing cottage for rent. He made his home in that cottage on the banks of the Willowemoc until his death.

Featured in numerous articles including those in the Wall Street Journal and National Geographic, Jorgensen received much acclaim and many honors during his long career, but none that he held dearer than his induction into the Hall of Fame of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in 2001.

Dubbed "a fly tier's fly tier" Poul Jorgensen did much to enrich the sport of fly fishing and the art of fly tying. Poul once told me that fly fishing had been very kind to him and that he wanted to repay that kindness by giving back. I'd say the books have been squared and then some.