Photos Black Fly Lodge Hosts Fly Fishing Pioneers

Black Fly Lodge Hosts Fly Fishing Pioneers

Legendary anglers Flip Pallot, Stu Apte, Chico Fernandez and Joan Wulff get together in the Bahamas.

By John Frazier

March 17, 2014

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When creativity and passion are the driving forces behind a new venture, success is all but inevitable. Black Fly Lodge located in Schooner Bay on the Bahamian island of Abaco was built on this principle and in a short time has developed a reputation as a first class bonefish operation. Salt Water Sportsman_ visited the lodge in early January of 2014 to document_ The Gathering_, a rendezvous of some of the biggest names in fly-fishing which included: Flip Pallot, Stu Apte, Chico Fernandez, Joan Wulff, Pat Ford and Vaughn Cochran. Each one of these living legends was honored for their contributions to fly-fishing by having a guest suite named after them. Harsh weather limited the amount of time the group of old friends were able to fish but that only stoked the story telling fire that burned each day and night into the wee small hours of the morning. ___ _ _ From Left: Pat Ford, Stu Apte, Joan Wulff, Chico Fernandez, Flip Pallot and Vaughn Cochran talk about old times in front of Black Fly Lodge.

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Flip and Diane Pallot watch angler Brett Martin cast to an unsuspecting Abaco bonefish.

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Brett Martin shows off well deserved bonefish he caught in an afternoon downpour.

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Flip and Diane Pallot kick back and relax as Black Fly Manager (and guide) Clint Kemp poles across a shallow flat.

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Rods await a break in the weather

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From left: Chico Fernandez, Dave Bylar and Paul Pinder prepare to chum for mutton snapper.

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From left: Chico Fernandez, Stu Apte and Flip Pallot pose for a quick photo before heading to the flats.

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Stu Apte gets a little bit of good luck from legendary guide Paul Pinder.

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Black Fly manager, Clint Kemp painted his East Cape Vantage purple in honor of his grandmother, Violet.

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A customized pushpole fork made from a guava tree fork.

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Flip Pallot strips a small Clouser Minnow in hopes of a yellowtail or mutton snapper for dinner.

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Chico Fernandez and Dave Bylar await the arrival of mutton snappers.

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Clint Kemps shows Brett Martin the finer points of a guava tree pushpole fork.

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Flip Pallot discusses the advantages of using a guava fork for a push pole foot.

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Black Fly Lodge guide, Paul Pinder runs to the next flat.

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Flip Pallot takes a break to tell one his many tales.

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Old friends reminisce days and years past.

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Flip Pallot and Chico Fernandez prepare for a day on the water.

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Black Fly’s staff requests a photo with The Gathering legends.

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Diane Pallot takes cover from the elements during a run to the next fishing spot.

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Flip Pallot waits for bonefish to give up their presence.

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All of the legends that attended The Gathering signed a limited number of posters commemorating the event.

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In lieu of room numbers, Black Fly Lodge named each guest suite after a legendary fly fisherman and/or personality.

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Joan Wulff signs a limited edition Black Fly poster commemorating The Gathering.

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Each legend’s room at Black Fly Lodge is adorned with an original portrait painted by Vaughn Cochran. Vaughn Cochran presents Joan Wulff with the painting that now hangs in her room.

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Flip Pallot writes about one of his first trips to the Bahamian island of Abaco.

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Flip Pallot writes about his first time that he fished Abaco.

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Lazy evening in the common area of Black Fly Lodge.

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Clint Kemp wears many Black Fly caps — manager, cook, guide and also bartender. Here, he prepares an authentic Cuban mojito.

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Joan Wulff enjoys a pre-dinner mojito.

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Flip Pallot holds court and shares one of his countless fish tales.

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Chico Fernandez and Joan Wulff at the Black Fly Lodge main bar.

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Legendary tarpon fisherman, Stu Apte.

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Black Fly Lodge shot from the sea wall of Schooner Bay.

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Legends of fly-fishing sign Black Fly Lodge manager Clint Kemps inside hatch.

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