Umberto Oreglini – Italian Fly Tier, Catskill Fly-Tying Specialist and Co-Founder of 54 Dean Street
Umberto Oreglini is an Italian fly fisherman, fly tier and Co-Owner of 54 Dean Street, an independent fly-fishing and fly-tying Specialist Shop based in Italy. His work focuses particularly on classic fly patterns, Catskill-style dry flies, historical fly tying and the study of traditional fly-tying techniques. Born in Pescara, Italy, in 1984, Umberto began fishing at the age of six, introduced to the world of fishing by his father. He discovered fly fishing in 2012 and soon developed a particular passion for the art, history and craftsmanship of fly tying. What began as a passion gradually became a long-term study of classic fly patterns, traditional materials and the techniques developed by some of the most influential fly tiers in the history of the sport.
54 Dean Street
Umberto is a Co-Owner of 54 Dean Street, together with Alberto Calzolari and Marco Terzani. At 54 Dean Street, he is involved in the company's digital presence, e-commerce, communication and content, while also contributing his experience as a fly tier and angler to product selection and development. The philosophy of 54 Dean Street reflects many of the same principles that guide Umberto's fly tying: combining the heritage of fly fishing with contemporary products, techniques and communication.
A Catskill Fly Tier
Among the different traditions he studies, the Catskill Style has become one of the defining elements of Umberto's work. His interest in Catskill Fly Tying began through the study of the work of the great American Fly Tiers and was strongly influenced by the books of Mike Valla, which led him to explore the history, patterns and construction methods of the Catskill tradition. His work has been recognised by the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, the organisation dedicated to preserving, protecting, promoting and enhancing the heritage of Catskill fly tying. Umberto is one of the few non-American fly tiers to have been recognised by the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild as a New-Generation Catskill Fly Tier. This recognition places his work within the continuing tradition of contemporary Catskill Fly Tiers while also highlighting the international reach of the Catskill tradition.
Ambassador of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild in Italy
Umberto Oreglini also serves as the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild Ambassador in Italy, acting as a point of connection between the Guild's historic Catskill Fly-Tying community and fly tiers and anglers in Italy. In this role, he contributes to sharing the history, techniques and values of Catskill Fly Tying with the Italian fly-fishing community and helps promote greater awareness of this distinctive American Fly-Tying tradition outside the United States. The role reflects a natural part of Umberto's work: studying classic fly tying, preserving its traditions and sharing the knowledge behind the patterns with a new generation of fly tiers.
Classic Flies and Historical Fly Tying
Umberto's work as a fly tier extends beyond Catskill patterns. He studies British, French and American classic flies, with particular attention to original dressings, historical references, traditional materials and authentic construction methods. His approach is based on understanding the original fly rather than simply reproducing its appearance. Proportions, materials, hook design, tying sequence and historical context all contribute to the character of a classic fly. Among the patterns he has tied and documented are flies such as the Peute by Henri Bresson, Assasine de Pequegnot by Jean-Paul Pequegnot and other historical British, French and American patterns.
Working with Partridge of Redditch
Umberto Oreglini is an Ambassador for Partridge of Redditch, one of the historic names in fishing hooks. His relationship with the brand has also involved product development. The Partridge Barbless Catskill Long Shank hook was developed with Umberto's input after he was looking for a modern barbless hook with the proportions required for Catskill-Style Dry Flies. This collaboration reflects his approach to fly tying: traditional patterns and proportions can provide inspiration for modern tools designed for contemporary fly fishing.
Sharing Fly-Tying Knowledge
Umberto has always considered sharing knowledge an important part of his involvement in fly fishing. Through his Down by the River – Fly Fishing Life project and his YouTube channel, he produces educational content about fly tying, classic fly patterns and fly-fishing culture. His content includes step-by-step demonstrations of classic flies and explorations of the history, materials and construction techniques behind different patterns. The aim is not simply to show how to tie a fly, but to explain the story and ideas behind it.
Recognition, Publications and Professional Collaborations
Umberto's work in fly tying has received recognition within the international fly-fishing community. In 2021, he received the Claudio D'Angelo Award for Fly Tier of the Year. He has been recognised by the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild as a New-Generation Catskill Fly Tier and serves as the Guild's Ambassador in Italy, helping promote the heritage and traditions of Catskill fly tying within the Italian Fly-Fishing community. Umberto's knowledge of classic fly tying has also led to collaborations with internationally recognised authors and publications. He contributed an entire chapter to Gordon Van de Spuy's book The Feather Mechanic, focusing on the history, construction and characteristics of the Quill Gordon, one of the most important and recognisable patterns in the Catskill tradition. His flies, tying techniques and work have appeared in several international fly-fishing and fly-tying magazines and specialist publications, further contributing to the international exchange of knowledge surrounding classic fly patterns and traditional fly tying. Umberto is also a member of the Semperfli Pro Team, working with one of the leading manufacturers of fly-tying threads and materials. His involvement with Semperfli reflects his continued interest in developing and testing modern fly-tying materials while maintaining the traditional principles of classic fly construction. Today, Umberto continues to work as a fly tier, angler, author, content creator, product developer and co-owner of 54 Dean Street, with a particular focus on Catskill Flies, Classic Fly Patterns and the History of Fly Tying. His work connects the traditional Catskill Fly-Tying heritage of New York with the contemporary Italian and international Fly-Fishing community, helping preserve, study and share classic fly tying for a new generation of anglers and fly tiers.