The longer I’m in this business, the more I realize it’s less about the fish and more about the people.
Recently, I had the chance to catch up with several individuals who not only had a major impact on my life and career, but the sport in general.
Among them are noted fly and inshore saltwater authority Flip Pallot, award-winning videographer Glen Lau, and one of my very first sponsors — Byron Terwillegar.
We met at Byron’s Blue Water Bay restaurant in Melrose, Fla. — a small lakeside community west of the St. Johns River. About all you’ll see in this single-traffic-light town is a country grocer, a few curio shops and Byron’s place … yet “The Bay” is considered the destination for culinary types throughout the region.
Hidden away from the more developed parts of the state, Melrose retains the look and feel of Old Florida. It served as our ideal getaway.
Meeting of the minds
We had no real agenda other than sharing a meal and a few war stories. And, as expected, the food and the dialogue were equally satisfying.
The conversation ranged from hunting and fishing, to conservation, and to families and long-lost friends. I eavesdropped as Flip shared his hunting exploits with Glen and son David Lau. It was like listening to a favorite uncle tell a story. I was captivated.
For those unfamiliar with Flip Pallot, he hosted what is arguably the best fishing show of all time — The Walker’s Cay Chronicles. Although the show is no longer in production, it remains the standard by which others are measured. Each episode was a true adventure in angling.
I actually had the opportunity to film two episodes with Flip. We shot one on the Suwannee River, back when the net ban was first imposed on Florida’s commercial fishermen. It was a volatile time, when sport fishermen and “netters” were embroiled in battle. The sport fishermen wanted to stop indiscriminate harvesting of inshore saltwater species (primarily mullet and redfish), and the commercial fishermen saw that as an attack on their livelihood. In the end, compromises were reached and stiffer regulations imposed, and the redfish population recovered dramatically.
Flip used the controversy as a framework for our episode on the Suwannee River, which, in turn, brought much needed awareness to the issue.
Later, we filmed another show on Lake Champlain, where we caught smallmouth bass and pike. Though Flip spends most of his time in the brine, he’s actually a very capable bass angler, and he loved the setting. I remember how his crew captured the majesty of Champlain and the surrounding landscape. His production team was truly creative and well ahead of their time.
Glen Lau, perhaps, has had an even greater impact — at least on the bass community. Known best for his timeless documentaries “Bigmouth” and “Bigmouth Forever,” Glen takes his viewers below the surface, deep into the realm of the black bass — capturing its habits, movements and life cycle. He also filmed much of the underwater footage we all grew up with — dramatic images of bass exploding on topwaters and tail walking across the surface. Glen’s work also set standards by which others are measured.
On two occasions, I had the opportunity to work with Glen. We filmed a TV commercial together, then shot countless photographs for ad campaigns that ran in every major fishing publication across North America.
I learned a great deal by working with both of these men, both of whom I consider close friends. So, to share a day with them off the water, getting caught up, was very special.
Adding to the mix
Another close friend — Larry Lucas — was also at The Bay celebrating his 60th birthday. Known widely among tackle collectors, Larry served as host of the Daytona International Antique Tackle Show — the second largest show of its kind, sanctioned by the Florida Antique Tackle Collectors Association.
Former Elite pro Shaw Grigsby and his wife Polly were there to join the fun. Back in the early 1980s, Larry, Shaw and I competed against each other at the club level with the Bassmasters of Gator Country.
Also in attendance was Jimmy Liao, a biology professor at the University of Florida. Having Jimmy there was timely, as he, like Glen, is infatuated with the largemouth bass. He studies their habits and biomechanics — how they swim, stalk and strike prey. It was cool watching him share his insights with Glen.
When the feasting ended, we retreated to Byron’s lakeside home on Lake Santa Fe — one of the most picturesque bodies of water in Florida. There, we continued the dialog while looking at vintage fishing lures. Joining us, was longtime friend and local outdoor writer, Gary Simpson of Gary’s Tackle Box — the local hangout for anyone who is anybody in fishing.
It was one of the most relaxing yet fulfilling days I’ve had in a long time. And I couldn’t have picked a better cast of characters to share it with.
Follow Bernie Schultz on Facebook or through his website. Go here to learn more about Glen Lau and his legendary film work.
