I could see the silver, flashing in the turquoise - green water, like a mirror catching the morning sunlight and shimmering the reflected light back in my eyes. A huge Stingray was feeding on the edge of a flat that dropped off into a creek. The school of about twenty-five Permit were hanging just above and behind the ray, ambushing food that the ray was stirring up. My guide, Carlos, had the boat staked up on the opposite side of the creek, just upwind to my right. A fairly easy cast. My hands were shaking, I was afraid I might drop the rod. I took a deep breath until Carlos, almost barely audible said "shoot, now". I made the cast, almost perfect. Carlos told me to wait and let the fly sink in the current from the creek. Just about the time I figured he would tell me to start stripping the fly, I saw the line shock at bottom of my vision. I pulled the slack up and the line went tight. I stripped the line hard to bury the hook and the fish went racing up the creek. I whispered to myself, "finally, I got him". Then Carlos said, "I think you got a bonefish". Sure enough, I hooked a Bonefish out of the middle of a school of Permit - just my luck.

I had one other Permit break from another school, follow the fly about three feet or so, turn and swim away. So, that wraps up my 2022 Permit campaign. But I got to spend two glorious days being poled around some stunning flats, creeks and mangrove islands. Today it was Hicks Caye were we saw baby Tarpon, countless Spotted Eagle Rays, giant Stingrays, Barracuda, Jack's, an aquarium of small reef fish and two Manatees. Not to mention Frigate Birds, Parrots, Ospreys, Great Blue Herons, Egrets, and a host of other birds.

I'm coming home empty handed on the Permit but I have a ton of great memories, some good laughs with the guides and camera full of photographs. Not a bad trip at all.

Great update. Glad you had a good trip and got home safely. Maybe next time on the permit.

Thank you! That is one beautiful place to fish. Plenty of stuff to look at when the fishing is slow

Great trip and great photos! No permit........bummer but okay because we go to fish and feel fortunate when we catch. The trip is the adventure and it looks like you had a great one. I know you get that. Love that shallow, blue water! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Chuck, and I do get it. The guides were really nice guys and we had a lot of laughs. Got to see some really cool stuff and spend a couple of days out on a boat in saltwater. Good trip.