Permit on a Fly [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Jack Samson (Author) "The first permit I ever saw was one hooked on a spinning rod and shrimp bait on a flat at Chub Cay in the Bahamas..." (more)
Key Phrases: tan crab fly, permit fly fisherman, fly fishing for permit, Ascension Bay, Cat Cay, Florida Keys (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
It wasn't too long ago that the idea of fly-fishing for permit would raise eyebrows. Then again, for some fly-fishers, raising eyebrows is the whole point. Jack Samson has been saltwater fly-fishing for most of his career, and by now he might just be the most famous permit angler around. Permit on a Fly is the result of years spent perfecting a very difficult craft. It's hard enough to find permit, as they tail about on the saltwater flats rooting for crabs; then you have to execute a perfect cast with a perfect fly. And if you're masterful enough to induce a take... well, hang on! Sampson relates his years of chasing these magnificent game fish around exotic tropical locales, providing all of us hopeful permit anglers with some good instruction along the way.

From Publishers Weekly
The Atlantic permit (Trachinotus falcatus), a member of the pompano family, spends part of each day in deep water; during the incoming tide, it moves up on the flats to feed on small crabs. A permit can weigh as much as 50 pounds. Easily spooked, the wary creature is the ultimate challenge to fly fishermen. Samson, former managing editor of Field & Stream and author of Saltwater Fly Fishing, takes us from the Bahamas and the Florida Keys to Belize, Honduras and the Yucatan peninsula in search of this elusive fish. He gives here an engaging account of his adventures in locating, hooking and landing a permit on a fly?then releasing it. Colorful guides and fellow anglers add to the story. Samson offers advice on tackle and technique; an appendix gives information on tying flies for permit. A treat for anglers. Illustrations.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 202 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811712443
• ISBN-13: 978-0811712446
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #978,922 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magic book on Permit!, February 6, 2000

By	Pablo E. Negri (Patagonia, CHILE) - See all my reviews

It took me just two days -- with guiding for trout in between -- to finish this great book. Mr. Samson pen is just amazing. It not only describes permit flyfishing, but also the magic that surrounds it, among destinations, techniques, flies, fly tying, history, guides, habitat, fish behavior, unrevealed secrets, and much, much more. His words "It takes a certain type of flyfisherman to fish for permit: It takes one who doesn't mind not catching fish. It takes a saltwater fly rodder who can spend days, weeks and months on the flats in the broiling sun and whipping wind -- with very little chance of reward", reveal the essence of permit flyfishing. This is a book that should be read by every flyfisherman; not only saltwater flyfishermen. It shows the passion hidden behind every flyfishermen in search of the ultimate challenge. A reading must. Beautifully written. Great book! Congratulations to Mr. Jack Samson for this piece of art!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and instructive for both veterans and beginners, February 26, 1999

By A Customer

An excellent book that is as entertaining as it is enlightening. Through a series of stories, Samson exposes the reader to the challenge, frustration and thrill of pursuing permit with a fly rod, the elite fraternity of hardcore permit flyfishermen and the development of today's successful techniques and fly patterns. As far as I can tell, it is the only book available focused exclusively on the subject. The book should be equally entertaining to both veteran permit fishermen and those curious to understand their obsession.