The Life and Times of Diane Pallot

Where do you call home?

Right here in Mims, Florida. No restaurants, nomain street, no quaint shopping stores. Boringbeyond belief however no traffic, no overpopulation, every pit bull dog is friendly, andso are their owners.

How did you get into fly fishing?

I think I sort of morphed into it. Flip neverforced the idea nor did he pressure me.After fishing with him for a few years withspin tackle, I decided one afternoon to askhim for a casting lesson. He was more thanaccommodating and spent a few hourswith me showing me the basics. That wasthe beginning of many hours of practice,frustration, and tears, fun fishing adventuresand a lifetime of acquiring new skill levels andimproving on them everyday that I fish. I’mstill learning.

What is it like being Diane Pallot?

Diane who? I don’t really know. She changeseveryday. I’m that lady my friends and familytease goes to Publix everyday to shop forgroceries instead of weekly. I’m an Aries(where did that come from?). I’m also theperson who traveled the world working for amajor airline and made it a career for 35 yearsas a flight attendant. I even traveled on mydays off. I lived out of a suitcase for most ofthose years. I’m Flip's sidekick when he givesme the opportunity to take trips or do a fishingshow with him. I learn so much about fishingand casting whenever I go with him to one ofhis fly fishing clinics. It’s incredible how muchknowledge he has. I’m still impressed after allthese years. And, of course, I’m a grandmotherto an exceptional 11 year-old girl who isbright and beautiful beyond anything I couldeven imagine.

You met Flip when you hired him as a guide. Did you go knowing who he was?

The only thing I knew about Flip was hehad a funny first name, and that he had thereputation for being an outstanding angler.He had just started guiding after shuttingdown his retail outfitter and clothing store in anearby shopping mall. I had no expectations,well that’s not exactly true. I really did hope hewould help me catch a tarpon.

What is your favorite fish to catch?

Hands down largemouth bass. There isnothing so provocative than to cast a popperto a nearby grassy pad, and watch one ofthose colorful, iridescent fish explode out ofhis world and into a foreign environment for ananosecond with one goal in mind. FOOD!

Is there a bucket list fish you have yet to catch?

I don’t have any expectations. I like surprises.However, it would be nice to catch a permiton fly. I’ve come close while fishing in theBahamas, but for me it just hasn’t happenedyet. That gives me something to lookforward to.

Tell me about your favorite fishing memory.

There are so many, including the first timeI wrangled Flip into taking me fishing onone of those sterling days on the St. John'sRiver. We watched in awe as thousands ofSwallow-tailed Kites made their migratoryjourney. Never had I seen so many at one time.It was breathtaking and it added so muchto an already special day with Flip out onour airboat.

We all remember the fish that got away. What fish haunts your dreams?

None, I truly mean that. If a fishblows me off, spits a fly, flips meoff, I laugh. I commend any fish thatoutsmarts and instinctively useshis primal skills to get free and getback to his normal routine. What I’mhaunted by is when he breaks off witha hook and fly still in his mouth. I worry ifhe will shake it loose, if it hurts the fish. I’mhaunted by the release. Did I fight him toolong? Did the fish build up too much lacticacid to be able to survive? Most times whenI’ve caught tarpon Flip and I purposely uselighter line so that when we hook them, theydo break off. We got the strike, a quick fight,and bam, they're gone leaving us laughing onthe bow of the boat.

You’re standing on the front of a flats boat scanning the water, fly in hand. What do you think about:?

I’m looking out at some beautiful water andwilling the fish to my fly. I’m always readyfor that adrenaline rush to kick in and testmy skill and ability to land a fish. I never takefor granted the surrounding beauty, and I’mconstantly concerned about protecting ourfresh and saltwater environments. I’m alwaysanxious to do what I can to help be a part ofthe reshaping. It’s a big problem, especiallyhere in Florida. We have so many lakes, rivers,and are surrounded by two coastal bodies ofwater. We have a big fight ahead of us.

What is your most prized possessions tangible or intangible?

Tangible: My Nautor coffee milk frother, andmy 7 weight Mangrove with my Cortland HighVis Flip fly line. I love that combo. Intangible :“Home Sweet Home” where on any given daywe have wild turkeys, deer, bobcats, hawks,and an assortment of wild birds come and visitour property. It's my base camp where I reenergizeentertain, and create.

Cats or Dogs?

Cats, two of them. We love dogs, but cats areeasier when we leave town. My 8 year-oldcat, Flounder, just used up another one of his9 lives when he went into respiratory arrestin our home the other day. Four days laterwith five doctors working on him, includinga heart doctor, he is still alive and the entireexperience leftme a wreck.

What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you on a fishing trip?

I was driving to SouthFlorida to meet Flipand fish on the eastcoast. I was on the cellphone talking with afriend, stressed outabout my father’srecent diagnosis with Alzheimer disease. Igot distracted and took the wrong exit. Flipcalled me and asked where I was. I looked ata road sign. “I’m just now coming into BonitaSprings." Flip laughed! I asked why he waslaughing and where Bonita Springs was. "It'son the west coast" he said. Needless to say Ididn't go fishing with Flip that day, and he hadto navigate me back east. I might add this wasway before GPS and Mapquest. Crazy, sad,stupid, funny!

You have inspired so many. Who inspires you?

I have to emphatically say, hands down, JoanWulff. She is the first lady of fly fishing and sheset the bar very high. She is very humble aboutherself and her achievements, is a pioneer inthe world of fly fishing just like Amelia Earhartwas to flying. She is classy and has her ownfashion style. Her accomplishments includeher books, her fly fishing school, countlessawards, and being inducted into the IGFA Hallof Fame. I have had the honor of meeting andtalking with her a number of times, and havea framed photo of us that I cherish. Then, thelove of my life, Lefty Kreh. Friend, confidante,partner in crime, and all things bright andfunny. He is still with me always.

What is your superpower?

I am able to at all times, during a fishing trip and especially walking down a mountain stream in Idaho, have the superpower to be able to resurrect the most horrific cast, winding up in some bloody shrub that I have no botanical name for if except to call it “Son of a Bitch Evil Bush.” Thissuperpower enables me to work it out andstill have the fly intact at the end of my tippet.And, my back up power gives me the ability tountangle the worst, fouled up, schizoid leaderline or fly line. I have been known to stay aslong as it takes, with unyielding determinationto undo or die. I will not let anyone, ever, do itfor me, no matter how heartbreaking it looks.

Is there a piece of advice you can give to new anglers?

Absolutely. When itcomes to learning howto fly fish, don’t evenbother booking a trip orbuying the latest costlyequipment without firstperfecting your castingskills. Otherwise, you’lllook quite good out there while you throw alousy loop, and frustrate your guide or fishingcompanions. I might add, having a goodfly rod, fly line, and a decent reel definitelyhelps improve your ability to learn. Just don’tconvince yourself that more expensive isbetter. It doesn’t work that way ... but you knewthat, right?

Many people grew up watching the Walker’s Cay Chronicles. What is it like knowing that you’ve influenced so many in our sport?

My, you have really pushed my emotionalbutton on this question. I hold this part of myjourney with Flip near and dear to my heart.This show was a dream come true. We alwaystalked about a show that would give us freereign, creativity, and allow us to do whathad never been done before — expose theaudience, not only to men that fish, but to theirfamilies. There was something for everyoneincluding the music, the narrative, thedestinations, and the good fishing etiquette.We wanted to influence our audience byallowing them to experience different naturalsurroundings and teaching them to be part ofthe solution rather than the problem. I believewe succeeded. Young people come up tous all the time and tell us how theylooked forward towatching the showand loved it. Thesesame kids, now allgrown up, tell us itchanged their life anddirection. They nowhave kids of their own,and the cycle is nowrepeating itself. That is awonderful thing.

I’m sure you’ve seen our sport change tremendously in the years you’ve been involved. What would you say is the biggest change?

The most obvious is the equipment, especiallyfly rods. They’re lighter, stronger, and muchmore portable. Fly rods are like good dancepartners, they can make you look good.A good fly rod, after you have learned thebasics of casting, will enhance your skills.It does wonders for your confidence. Theindustry is a small one compared to othersports, but I have witnessed an explosion ofby-products that are related to fly fishing. Yeti,which started with fly fishing, has proven youcan start small and spread big. And women!Thirty years ago when I started going to theFly Tackle Dealer Show it was overwhelming,and exciting. The convention centers werebig and included wall-to-wall vendors fromall over the country. For years I could go intoany of the restrooms and I would be the onlywoman using the facility. I didn’t think muchof it at first. There just was not that much interest regarding women and this sport.

Fastforward to now, and that has changed to sucha degree that sometimes I even have to waitto get into a stall to pee. And at my age thatis not fun. All kidding aside, I’m glad to seemy little sisters with their fishing garb andfish jewelry at these expositions doing theirbest to be a part of our sport. I do have to addthat I have a deep respect for the pioneeringmatriarchs of our sport. Women like Joan Wulf,Cathy Beck, Jackie Robinson, Sarah Gardiner,and others who devoted their lives to fishing. Iapplaud them.

What is the one thing you never leave home without when you leave for a fishing trip?

FLIP! I don’t go on fishing trips with anyoneelse but him. Now that might sound veryinsipid of me, and narrow-minded, butyou have to understand Flipis my fishing muse. He is stillmy teacher, and my bestfriend. You would think thatI would get to fish with himall the time, but time getsaway from us. He gets moreexcited than me when I doeverything right, when itall comes together, andthe outcome is just so magical. These times are my moments,my history in the making. A good sunscreentinted lip gloss is very important as well.

What do you do when not on the water?

I play a game called “Catch Up”. Every womanknows this game. You pay bills, fill up therefrigerator, go through paper work, and makeappointments. Perhaps a dinner engagementor two with good friends. We also enjoy sittingaround the fireside sipping our favorite brandof rum “Frigate Reserve”. We have learned toappreciate a stand alone straight-up glass ofhigh end rum that adds to the ambiance of acool breeze and warm ring fire.

What do you do to keep the fun in fly fishing?

If you have to do something to keep the funin fly fishing, then you're in the wrong sportand should, perhaps, pursue another personalobsession. The moment I pick up that rod, thefun begins. The moment I slip on those fishingpants, a smile appears. The moment I hear,smell, and see all that is involved with theanticipation of the day, the hunger starts.

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given and by whom?

It has to be the day Michael Maloney, a goodfriend from out west, who came to our housefor a few days to visit. Early on when I was stillstruggling with my casting, Michael took meout in the front of our house telling Flip “you'renot invited”. Michael watched me cast for afew minutes, and then he asked me somethingthat really clicked. He asked “what are youdoing?” Of course I was stumped. What did hemean? He told me "Diane the only way you aregoing to be a good fly caster is to know whatyou are doing every time you cast that line.Once you know what you are doing correctly,the outcome will always be the same. A goodcast. If for any reason you fail, you’ll know why,and be able to correct it on your own." It wasthe best advice I had ever received. For somereason, hearing this advice set my compassstraight. It was my light bulb moment.

What are you most grateful for?

Everything, I don’t have to do a lot of stuffevery day to prove that I exist and am worthy.I feel grateful when I finish that watercolorpainting I have been working on for manyweeks or months. I feel grateful for my longtime friendships that I have cultivated over alifetime. I don’t want to get too overwhelmedwith this question, otherwise I’ll start lookinglike one of those Hollywood actors standing atthe podium with their Oscar in hand going onand on until the music comes on to tell themto “shut the f*** up”. So, before that happens,I’m gonna say bye for now and leave you withthis thought:

Compassion — For me this is establishinga state of grace where nothing causes me to hate myself.