Permit are beautiful fish and can be difficult to hook with a fly. They'll saunter over to the fly, take a look and decide this fly is not for them; or, they'll attack with surprising vigor. For the angler, the key is spotting them and taking a cast. Quick. Accurate. Often, permit are found mixed in with bonefish or tarpon. Rarely have I seen all three in the same area, but it does occur.

Permit inhabit flats and may be found in channels and on deeper flats that have lots of crabs, shrimp, worms and minnows. Permit also follow tides.

In shallow water I've seen singles or doubles; in deeper water schools. Permit seem to run with fish of similar age groups and sizes. I've observed permit moving with the wind, cruising in from deep water onto the flats to feed. They move fast and with purpose, and you can see them coming from far away! When I see these fish coming out of the water, my blood pressure rises and my mind comes to attention! A cast may be coming soon! Focus. A change of rod and fly might be necessary, but I'm ready and willing to make a cast anytime they are around!