During a 25-year relationship with Florida Sportsman magazine, Max Branyon provided dozens of articles and numerous photographs. He covered a wide range of subjects, from seatrout fishing in Cape Canaveral to marlin fishing in Costa Rica. His most recent article was “Big Pine Trailer Boating,” Oct. 2008, about a trip to the Florida Keys with son Kyle. Branyon’s other two sons, Steve and Bob, also figured into his narratives over the years, as did one of three granddaughters, Katie Branyon.

Max, 78, passed away May 30 in Altamonte Springs. He’ll surely be remembered by many FS readers for his ground-breaking report on hot yellowfin tuna action at the NOAA weather buoy off Cape Canaveral, in the July 1991 issue.

The well-traveled angler also published what is to our recollection the only image from Alaska to appear in FS: Max with a fresh catch of salmon. The shot (Nov. 2004) accompanied an article aimed at helping fishermen preserve their sanity while traveling on package cruise-line vacations.

A native of Alabama, Max’s first exposure to the Florida outdoors was in Carabelle following his father’s assignment there during World War II. After college, Max returned to Florida in the 1960s. He moved to the Orlando area, where he taught in public schools and nurtured a writing career which included many years as outdoors columnist for The Orlando Sentinel.

Branyon is survived by his wife, Donna; sons Steve, Bob and Kyle and their wives, Mary, Leslie and Joy; brothers James and Hugh, and their wives Myra and Carol; and granddaughters Cheryl, Jackie and Katie.

On behalf of the FS editorial team, and countless readers: Thanks, Max, for sharing your days on the water with us.

--Jeff Weakley, Editor