How To Catch Permit On Top, with RA Beattie

How To Catch Permit On Top, with RA Beattie

Author: Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Company April 6, 2026 Duration: 53:27

Permit on a floating fly?  Don't you need to fish heavy flies that get right to the bottom, where permit feed? Sometimes, but over the past decade permit anglers have discovered that permit eat crabs on the surface, and if you've spent enough time on salt water you will see crabs swimming along the surface. Fishing floating crabs make a lot of sense as you'll learn when you listen to this podcast with film maker and permit angler RA Beattie [27:05].

In the Fly Box this week, we have some questions that might solve problems you have had, including:

I have trouble with my fly wallet, either losing flies or tearing out the fleece. Is this a matter of user error?
Should I apply flotant to foam flies and flies with deer and elk hair, or will they float by themselves?
Do jig nymphs harm smaller trout?
If I use large beads on my nymphs, will they inhibit hooking qualities?
I have trouble with my line tangling when striper fishing. Do you have any tips?
Do featherwing streamers offer any advantages?
Why do people fish streamers smaller that a size 10 and when is it best to use them?
The hooks on my bonefish flies keep breaking . Why is this happening?


For anyone who’s ever felt the tug of a line or wondered about the quiet rhythm of a river, The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast is a steady companion. Host Tom Rosenbauer, a well-known author and the voice behind this series for The Orvis Company, doesn’t just offer tips; he shares a lifetime of curiosity spent on the water. Each week, the conversation unfolds like a guidebook coming to life, covering the tangible skills and the subtle philosophies that define fly-fishing. You’ll hear practical advice on technique and gear, certainly, but also deeper discussions about conservation, reading different waters, and understanding fish behavior. It’s that blend of straightforward education and reflective storytelling that makes this podcast unique. Whether you’re planning your first cast or have decades of experience, the aim is the same: to make your hours by the stream more thoughtful and rewarding. Tune in for a mix of solo episodes from Tom and interviews with other anglers, all grounded in a genuine passion for the sport and the wilderness it depends on. This is more than a series of lessons; it’s an ongoing dialogue for anyone who finds solace and challenge in fly-fishing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast
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