The news broke last night that we had lost a true legend of fly fishing and the outdoors, Flip Pallot. Known for his gentle wisdom and honest storytelling, Flip has become an icon of sport and conservation whose influence spread far beyond his beloved Florida.
I’m not one to write tribute posts often (if ever), but I thought this would be one of the rare occasions where it was fitting. Sure, he probably wouldn’t enjoy the attention, but there were few like Flip, so his story is worth telling, even if too briefly to do his legacy justice.
Flip was born in South Florida in 1942, growing up in the natural tapestry between Biscayne Bay, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys. An idyllic landscape that shaped his lifelong passion for the outdoors.
After college and a stint in the military, Flip pursued a corporate life far removed from the wilds as a banker in Miami. To paraphrase Flip, he was , “spending my days helping other people achieve their dreams, while watching mine wither.” I think many of us can relate to that sentiment.
Eventually, Flip heeded the call of the wild, leaving his corporate path to become a fishing and outdoors guide for over a decade.
Building his reputation through local and national outdoors programming, Flip’s biggest breakthrough, and the one that really introduced him to the world, came with Walker’s Cay Chronicles, a wonderful fishing series that aired on ESPN for 16 seasons starting in 1992.
Unlike the more “in your face” outdoor shows of the time, Flip focused on being reverent and reflective in his storytelling. I really loved watching that show, and thank it for nudging me toward fishing as a late onset angler.
Flip was a mentor to many. He credited friendships with Lefty Kreh and Stu Apte among those who molded his outlook on fishing and life, making sure to carry forward that legacy in helping other anglers.
In addition to his work on film and video, Flip was also a prolific writer, with several fishing and conservation titles under his belt. He also served on countless pro-staffs and advisory boards, including companies such as Hell’s Bay Boatworks, TFO, Cortland Line, and YETI.
Flip’s commitment to the environment was as strong as his passion for fishing. He spent decades championing conservation in Florida’s coastal fisheries and earned recognition for advancing water quality and habitat preservation. Flip was recently awarded Costa’s “Captain For Clean Water Steward of the Year” award in 2022. He loved “Old Florida” and wanted to keep its natural resources wild.
But more than projects and accolades, Flip’s true gift was his authenticity. He was a humble storyteller whose voice reflected his genuine joy of nature. This paired with his quiet wisdom made him more than just a fisherman, he became what many believe a fly fisherman should be.
Flip Pallot leaves behind his wife, Diane (D.B.), daughter, Brooke, brother, Scott, and granddaughter Sora. May they, and his legacy remain in our thoughts as his memory continues to guide our casts.
“You regret the things you don’t do.”
— Flip Pallot