75 days ... one permit

sunflower

So, they just completed the March Merkin permit tournament in Key west.

- 25 expert anglers ...
- 25 most-expert guides ...
- 3 full days of competition ...
- 75 boat-days, 600 hours of fishing ...

 ... probably the best permit fishery in the world.

In three days, the 25 boats caught ... ONE permit.
Brutal.

The winner was Kat Vallilee, who is married to Nathaniel Linville, the owner of the Key West fly shop The Angling Company. Between them, they probably have thousands of days on the water. They are undoubtably the best pair of permit fishers in the world. Congratulations. And I bet there is a 100% chance that daughter is going to out-fish all of us!

Makes me feel better about the 10 years, probably 50 days, and thousands of dollars I have spent to catch three permit.

lemaymiami

No doubt - some fish you really have to work for....  A great win - hope it generates some business for them (anyone in the tackle business needs all the help they can get....).

Jack Hexter

Any permit is a good permit, no matter the tackle.  On fly, it's a GREAT fish