Palometa, or Permit is considered the Holy Grail of saltwater fly fishing. Permit cruise the flats with confidence, flushing prey only to pounce on and devour it quickly. Casually following a ray, they scan the bottom to see what has been stirred up in its path, looking for an easy meal. Both scenarios trickle through the minds of guides and anglers as they prepare to hunt this magical fish.
Average Belizean permit caught on Ambergris Caye
The Permit has obtained mythical status, as clubs have been formed allowing membership to the select few that have landed them. Stories of epic refusals time after time have haunted anglers who have traveled great distances only to go home empty handed.
Well, do not let all of this get you down. Guides and obsessed fly tiers around the world have developed proven techniques that have made it easier than ever to make a Permit eat a fly. Our guides at BFZ are no different. Fly fishing in Belize for Permit seems to get better every year. The flats surrounding Ambergris Caye hold vast numbers of Permit, and our guides encounter them on a daily basis. They have observed their behavior on countless occasions, and have honed their spotting, approach, and execution down to a science.
This permit was tailing in 3 feet of water
One will see many schools of Permit during their stay and can even expect to have a permit tip up and eat the fly. Permit in our waters range from 5-40 pounds with the average being 10-16 pounds. They will be found in medium schools (20-40 fish) rolling and tipping up on the edges of flats. Once spotted from the boat, a careful stalk on foot usually allows for multiple shots into a school, ending up with a hook up. Fly fishing for Permit is a very rewarding game. In this photo, a school of 3-4 large were spotted rolling in 3 feet of water, and the ensuing stalk lasted over an hour. Merkin and raghead crab as well as swimming and spawning shrimp in sizes 2-6 have proven successful in our waters for Permit.
Tom S. from New Jersey with a TOAD permit on a crab pattern
