Vacation and life's quests

Yes, yes, I know --- my whole life is a vacation.  Outdoors writers get to do what they love, with very few exceptions ,and get paid for it -- albeit modestly.  And life is its own reward.  But I am going to take some time off the clock this Memorial Day weekend in furtherance of a long time goal:  to catch a permit on fly rod on the flats.  To try to accomplish this, I am travelling to Placencia, Belize, whose reputation is to be full of many stupid permit.  I have also heard the fish are small, but am hoping this isn't true, because I wouldn't want my first ever flats, fly-caught permit to be a six pounder! While still technically, a permit, such a catch is more reflective of an intellectually-challenged jack.  I have had lots of practice fly casting lately....catching not one but TWO giant tarpon on fly rod in the past two months, plus two fly-rod bonefish.  And last Friday, my friend and I took a fly-casting lesson with one of the best instructors in the universe, Miami's Chico Fernandez.  Even if you have been casting forever, Chico can point out little, wrong things you do that keep you from forming tight loops.  So I am ready.  I have purchased crab flies, new tippets and had my fly reels greased.

Should the whole attempt fall on its face (as the  one last year in Xcalak, Mexico did), I will still have fun diving with the whale sharks that gather around the spawning of the Cubera snapper.    And maybe I'll get some more chances this summer with some very  kind and patient guides in Key West and Biscayne Bay.  Of course, if I achieve my goal, one of the great things about being a newspaper writer is to be able to brag about it to one's heart's content with no repercussions.  Wish me luck.