There was always a distant horizon for him. Always a next adventure. It was ever this way, and so it remains. Now the task will be to hold the lessons close to heart, and stay the course he set, and navigate the way without our North Star.
The family and friends of Philip “Flip” Pallot are terribly saddened to share the news that Flip passed away on August 26, 2025, in Thomasville, Georgia, due to complications from surgery. This was unexpected and unmooring for us all.
Flip was a searing light that streaked across the sporting world for more than half a century, illuminating the possibilities of wild places and the pursuit of adventure, and leaving a comet’s tail of stories and insights and life lessons that will never dim. He was an inspiration to 18-year-olds and 80-year-olds. His passing leaves a gaping hole in our hearts, but one we will fill by living forward in the many ways we have been changed through his presence.
For now—“Heads up,” Flip would say, “and shoulders back, and don’t start your backcast until the line is straight and the fly is moving.” We are not there yet, and so Flip’s family–wife, Diane; daughter, Brooke; brother Scott; and granddaughter Sora–ask for privacy, and his friends ask that all who knew the man and love what he stands for take a quiet interlude and turn your eyes towards his beloved Florida. It is, at this moment, 7:50 p.m. EST (August 27th, 2025). It is sunset in Mims, north of the Everglades, near the banks of the St. Johns River, where Flip and his wife, Diane, have lived for 23 years.
As for Flip, he asked for nothing other than a life lived fiercely true. To all those who share in our grief, in his own sweet words: “More to come. Bye for now.”
Photo: @williamhereford
Words by our dear friend T. Edward Nickens
Mad River Outfitters is of course deeply saddened by the shocking and sudden loss of our friend, mentor and “spiritual leader” as Brian often referred to him as. We are all still numb and trying to process what has happened. An unexpected turn of events….to say the least. We can tell you that Mad River Outfitters will lead the charge in keeping his memory, his lessons and his legacy alive.
From Brian: “Goodbye….old friend. You’ll still be leading the way from the beyond……right? You told me that you would be! I’m gonna need you more now I think. I sure hope that you realized all that you did for me……and taught me. I am forever grateful. MRO would not exist if it weren’t for you. RIP. ‘Zever- Brian”
(He posted this on Facebook…..a rare event, but warranted)
More to come……………
833 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363
