General description and habitat:
Often referred to as the holy grail of fly fishing, permit are high on the list of many fly anglers list. Permit inhabit coastal areas with reefs and rocky outcrops. They are normally found in pairs but may form schools. Tourette Fishing targets permit on the pristine flats of the Seychelles. St Josephs Atoll in the Seychelles arguably offers the finest permit fishing destination in the Indian Ocean.

Permit feed mainly on molluscs and crabs.

Angling Tackle and Tactics:

Fly:

9ft 9wht rods, matched with a large arbor reel loaded with WF tropical floating line and at least 250yards of 30lb backing makes up the hardware. Fly selection comprises crab patterns of various types. Velcro crabs, epoxy crabs and merkins crabs in tan, and white and in various sizes and weights will cover most scenarios. Generally flies in size 2 – 2/0 are used. Leader set up is similar to bone fish, with a 10 – 12 ft tapered leader ending with 12 – 17lb fluorocarbon tippet.

Permit access flats through cuts in the outer reef or from channels leading out of the central lagoon. Having an intimate understanding of these access points, the tides and water conditions which are conducive to permit entering the flats is crucial when targeting permit. Having a guide with this knowledge will give you a significant advantage when targeting permit on the flats of the Seychelles.

Casting ahead of tailing fish (4 – 6ft), or well ahead of cruising fish (more than 8ft) is the name of the game. Too close and you will invariably spook these fish. Once the fly has landed, it must not be stripped, the current and any wave action will impart small movement on the fly. If the fish failed to notice ones fly on the drop, a slight twitch can be used to trigger a response.

Good quality rubber soled wading boots, and polarized glasses are essential

For details on the areas Tourette Fishing targets Pompano

• St Josephs Fly Fishing Safari