Ambergris Cay Chronicles: “Oh that Sweet Fish”
In fly-fishing, some fish are harder to catch than others. The permit is one of the hardest. I know people that have spent their whole lives and tons of money trying to catch these elusive fish with no success. When I flashed a picture and asked the locals if they had been seen, I was stoked to hear, there are permit in our waters. The islanders called them “sweet fish” probably due to their great texture and flavor. From that day on I really started searching. Sure enough, on another perfect Ambergris bonefish day and after catching a few nice bones, I waded down the flats in front of our new restaurant Calico Jacks. The tide neared high and the bonefish became difficult to see. I then spotted some fish moving like a finely tuned team, patrolling the rocky edges of the flats. Crabs were fleeing, and the feed was on. I made my cast with old faithful our mantice shrimp fly and waited for the moment to bring it to life. When the fish saw the fly they attacked. After a spirited fight, I landed the fish. It looked like a permit but I had never seen pictures of juveniles before. I called on my radio, “is anyone near Calico Jacks - this is Byron come in!” trying to get anyone to come take a picture. Luckily, Chef Josh heard the call. He was there in minutes and I got my photo. I really didn’t know if the fish was a palmito, pompano, or a permit. I went on to catch and release three more. I went back to the computer and looked up both fish on fishbase.com. I compared the photos and confirmed my catch. You could have heard me hooting with joy from miles away. I called my dad and a list of others. From what I had heard it was the first “sweet fish” ever caught on the flyrod in the TCI. No other boats, no other fisherman. I am in unexplored virgin waters. Come get some… Capt. Byron
