5 minute read
Lefty’s Enduring Legacy, by Flip Pallot
BY FLIP PALLOT
A phalanx of nine flamingos moved with their gangly gait across the inches-deep grass flat 150 yards to the northeast of my skiff. All among the marching feet of the birds, small baitfish and shrimp were backlit by the morning sun as they skittered and jumped to avoid the beaks of the flamingos, and as if part of the parade, half a hundred redfish rushed along in pursuit of whatever the birds disturbed from the thick, turtle grass.
I was more than excited to have “Lefty” aboard for his first trip to the Everglades…my attempt at payback for my very first, real fly-casting lesson.
Lefty stood on the bow cap with an eight-weight rod, and a redfish fly that I had tied, and he had graciously agreed to use; I was never the greatest tier.
As I began to pole the skiff in the direction of the action, was astounded to see Lefty lay the rod along the gunnel, rummage in his boat bag, and remove a 35mm camera with a 400mm lens. That in hand, he placed a boat cushion at the stem of the bow cap and lay in position to record the priceless scene occurring just up the flat.
Seeing Lefty prioritize the photo over the fishing opportunity was the first, in an almost 60 year string of life lessons shared with me by Lefty…lessons dealing not only with fishing and the outdoors, but with life, relationships, business, career planning, and things too numerous to mention.
Upon losing our house and belongings to Hurricane Andrew in 1993, Diane and I found ourselves living for a time in the back of my pickup truck, awaiting the appearance of an insurance adjuster. If the homeowner was not present when the adjuster came around, the adjuster would move on to another claim. Our home was completely destroyed…with us inside. Included in all that was lost, was a magnificent, black, and white photo of the flamingos and redfish…along with a note of thanks from Lefty for his day of introduction to the Everglades.
Days after the storm, Lefty appeared, aided by some locals who were able to navigate the devastation of the Homestead, Florida area. Finding us living in the truck, he hugged us, wept, and handed Diane a paper sack containing $25,000. “Ev and I don’t need this,” Lefty said. “You don’t have to repay it, just use it to get back on your feet.”
Through the lens of acts like these, the perfect loop of Lefty’s wisdom and selflessness guided me through many, many years of my adulthood. We traveled the world, did schools, films, shows, personal appearances, and benefits together. I was able, and privileged to share my family, and most private thoughts and moments with him.
His absence left an enormous hole in my world…but his legacy has filled it. I constantly hear people speak of their encounters at events with Lefty, or on trips where he spoke with them, or helped with their casting, signed their ball cap, or autographed a photo. They felt they knew him, or that they had been mentored by him, in spite of a short passage of time in his presence. Making people feel this way was among his superpowers…and he wasn’t even trying!
For all that he did and gave to folks, the industry, and myriad causes, I never knew him to ask for anything in return…except to pay it forward.
In Lefty’s last few years, he became fascinated with texting. tried to text him every day or so with a joke, a photo, a question, or story. When Lefty died, I continued texting him for quite some time, until they finally gave his phone number to someone else… who did not appreciate my constant texts, and sent an unpleasant request that I desist! I did.
In the six years since his death, I’ve thought of him daily, and try to say his name (just in case he’s listening). I try to imagine what he’d make of our efforts at conservation, which was dear to him… His thoughts about changes and improvements in tackle and techniques… What he’d think of our currently divided Nation, for which he fought in World War II, and I remember something that he said to me, and others: “I don’t disagree with YOU, I disagree with your IDEA, to which you are entitled.”
He would want us to keep that concept in mind as we remember him, and struggle to come together as a Nation during the coming year!
Friends and fans of Lefty will want to keep an eye on the near horizon for a wonderful film, Lefty: The Greatest of All Time, a film about Lefty’s enduring legacy to us all.
