In the Presence of a Legend: A Visit with Flip Pallot
Meeting Flip Pallot is something I’ll never forget. He’s more than just a legend in the fishing world, he’s a storyteller, a pioneer of modern flats boats, an outdoorsman, and someone whose voice and perspective have shaped generations of anglers. For me, and many others, Flip represents the soul of the outdoors: thoughtful, honest, and deeply connected to the wild places we love.
Last August, my good buddy Justin Ravenel and I loaded up and pointed the truck south toward Florida. The plan was simple, film an episode of the Rivers and Tides Podcast, hosted by our friend Rich Volpe. But this wasn’t just any episode. Rich had lined up an interview with Flip Pallot.
We stayed in a little KOA cabin not far from Flip’s place. It was nothing fancy, but it had everything we needed: a bunk, a grill, bathrooms and that feeling of being out on the road, chasing something meaningful. Justin and I laughed a lot that first night, half from excitement, half from the surreal feeling that we were about to sit down with one of the most respected voices in the outdoor world. Needless to say, the stress of filming a legend was starting to hit me.
Sleeping that night was difficult. I was going over all the gear and a shot list in my head over and over. This was a once in a lifetime experience for all three of us and I didn’t want to mess it up by forgetting to press record or not having a memory card.
When we pulled into Flip’s property the next morning, it felt like walking into a story. His place isn’t loud or flashy, it’s a reflection of the man himself: calm, intentional, rooted in wild things. He greeted us with that unmistakable smile and made us feel welcome right away. Before the mics were ever turned on, he took us out back and shot his longbow. It was like watching poetry in motion. Quiet, focused, deliberate. You could feel the years of experience in every shot. It was inspirational.
What followed was more than just a podcast recording. It was a conversation that wandered, as the best ones do, through the stories and philosophies that have shaped Flip’s life. Rich led the discussion masterfully, but Flip didn’t need much prompting. He spoke about the evolution of fly fishing, about solitude, about the places and people that matter most.
And then he talked about something he rarely brings up, his time in the Army. Flip served his country before he ever served the angling world. Though it’s a chapter of his life he doesn’t often revisit publicly, he opened up about it on the podcast with honesty and reflection. Hearing him speak about those years and how they shaped the man he would become, added a whole new depth to the person we thought we knew.
We talked conservation, legacy, and the future of this world we all care so deeply about. But what struck me most wasn’t anything he said into a microphone, it was how generous he was with his time, how present he was with each of us. He didn’t just do the podcast. He shared his home. His stories. His bow. And for a moment, it felt less like a production and more like sitting around a fire with an old friend or listening to wisdom passed down one cast at a time.
Meeting Flip Pallot was a genuine honor. But more than that, it was a reminder of why we chase these kinds of experiences in the first place. Not for the glory, or the following, or the photos, but for the chance to connect with people who make the world richer just by being in it.
That’s something I’ll carry with me both on the water and off it for a long time.
Written by: Austin Young
Photos by: Austin Young
Check out the episode on the Rivers and Tides Podcast for the in depth interview with Flip
https://youtu.be/qcr39_Te--E?si=3UWXsR8bTad88Vnl