Pescador Permit

I planned on having one day of guided fishing during our stay at El Pescador, targeting some of their resident tarpon. They teamed me up with a guide named Kachu, based on our mutual 'enthusiasm', and off we went, eager to see some backing.

After some morning bonefish to kick things off, we headed out to the tarpon flats, the clouds parted, and we found the tarpon. What we didn't find where tarpon that wanted to eat. All we could get were fish literally chasing and bumping the fly with their nose right at the boat. It was frustrating and exciting fishing at the same time. I was ready to jump on the next one that followed the fly in close enough and see if I could win a wet wrestling match.

It kept getting hotter and hotter and water glassier and glassier. By early afternoon it was clear that the tarpon just weren't into eating, so we cut our losses and planned to head to some bonefish flats to salvage the day with tailing bones.

You never know what surprises the ocean holds though, and the glassy water made for perfect conditions for spotting a small group of permit tailing in a flat. Permit have a reputation for being the hardest fish to catch on the fly, and you have to make the most of the opportunities you are given. The brakes went on, and before I knew it I was up on the bow, creeping slowly towards the school. Glassy water makes it easier to spot permit, but also much easier to spook what is already a very nervous and hard to fool fish.

The fishing gods felt our pain and suffering in the sun was enough though, and a couple casts later I was watching the backing scream off the reel. This was a day for seeing backing after all, and lots of it. The little shrimp clouser that Kachu said would work, did, and after some nerve racking runs under the boat, Kachu tailed it, and I could breath a sigh of relief. Some quick photos and off he went. It was a great fish.

We ended up seeing a few more tails that afternoon, but had to call it a day with a big thunderstorm rolling in.

It wasn't a Grand Slam, but just getting that close made for big smiles all evening.

If you're interested in more info on the fishing at El Pescador, get a hold of Jason at Orvis Travel, elkinsj@orvistravel.com. He used to manage the fishing operation there. Tell him Damon sent you and maybe he'll have some goodies for you, including a discount on Orvis products.