In Memoriam: Flip Pallot

Flip Pallot, beloved outdoorsman and pioneering figure in American sportfishing, has passed away. Known to many as the total outdoorsman, Flip’s lifelong love affair with the waters of the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, and the Florida Keys began in his youth, often in the company of close friends John Emery, Norman Duncan, and Chico Fernandez. After graduating from the University of Miami, Flip served as a linguist in the U.S. Army, stationed in Panama from 1962 to 1967, where he discovered the thrill of fishing in exotic destinations. Following his honorable discharge, he pursued a career in banking before turning his passion for guiding into a full-time vocation in the Florida Keys and Everglades. His guiding career, rich with adventure, spanned more than a decade before Hurricane Andrew in 1992 forced him and his wife, Diane, to relocate to Central Florida, beginning yet another chapter of discovery and reinvention.

Flip became a household name through his work in outdoor television. After early appearances on programs such as The American Sportsman and Outdoor Life, he launched The Saltwater Angler before hosting the groundbreaking Walker’s Cay Chronicles for 15 seasons. The series is remembered as one of the most visually stunning and influential fishing programs ever produced, especially within the fly-fishing community. In addition to his work on screen, Flip wrote extensively for leading fishing publications and authored the book Mangroves, Memories and Magic. His friendship and collaborations with fellow legend Lefty Kreh are immortalized in the celebrated two-disc set All the Best: A Conversation with Flip & Lefty.

Beyond media, Flip shaped the fishing industry through his work with leading tackle and boat manufacturers. In 1998, he co-founded Hell’s Bay Boatworks, revolutionizing technical poling skiffs and setting a standard for performance that endures today. He also consulted for brands including Sage, G.Loomis, Temple Fork, Simms, Tibor, Costa, and others.

Even in later years, Flip continued to inspire anglers through conservation, philanthropy, and new media ventures such as Ford’s Fishing Frontier on the Outdoor Channel. His legacy is not only defined by innovation and adventure but also by his tireless commitment to preserving the waters and fisheries he so deeply loved.

Flip Pallot’s contributions to the world of fishing—through guiding, writing, broadcasting, boat and tackle design, and conservation—are immeasurable. For his unparalleled passion and influence, the International Game Fish Association celebrates him as one of the greatest stewards of our sport.