Bill Houze is a young guide, his name is not that known but he has enormous prestige among the fishermen who frequent Key West, the Mecca of fly-fishing for permit. He has guided countless days every year acquiring the ability to translate concepts that help us understand the behavior of these unpredictable fish. He is my mentor, my most important teacher. I came to realize the great influence he has in my view about of fly-fishing for permit.

Fd: How long have you been a fly-fishing guide?
BH: I have been a full time fly-fishing guide since 2002.

Fd: Before being a guide, what was your relationship with the sea?BH: My first experience with the sea came from a job I took working as a mate on a private offshore boat. This job provided me the opportunities to travel the Caribbean fishing for Marlin, Tuna, and Sailfish. To this day, Sailfish is still one of my favorite species to target.

Fd: Have you had a mentor or someone who has helped you in this profession?
BH: During the years I spent offshore fishing, I was fortunate enough to become friends with some of the local Key West flats guides. These relationships certainly helped the first year I was guiding. They would send me some of their extra overflow business. In terms of tides, fishing locations, customer relations etc., etc., I think that is something you really learn by spending time on the water and having many, many fishless days.

Fd: Do you still go fishing by yourself?
BH: The last fish I caught was a Permit in January 2013. I typically spend my free time now with my daughter and fiancée.
 
Fd: What gives you more satisfaction, fishing or guiding?
BH: I will say without a doubt that I get more satisfaction from guiding.

Fd: In what places have you guided? For which species?
BH: All of my guiding experiences have been in the Florida Keys.

Fd: You are a very recognized guide for permit fishing, what differentiates this species from the others?
BH: Permit are different than Bonefish and Tarpon in many ways. Permit are a very spooky fish by nature. When Permit come onto a flat to feed, they are very alert and, depending on the conditions, can be incredibly hard to get close. You can fish for Permit in many different conditions and locations in the Fl Keys. The techniques used can change from location to location or hour to hour. We have Permit here that tail in shallow water, float in deep water, reside on structure, and mud in deep water. The Fl Keys are a very dynamic Permit fishery. As an angler you can spot them by tailing, mudding, swimming or sometimes just sitting into the current like a trout. I think the dedication it takes to become a truly successful Permit angler is the biggest difference between Bonefish and Tarpon anglers. To really get an understanding of Permit, an Angler will spend many days catching nothing and spend more days reflecting on what went wrong.

Fd: How has fly-fishing for permit evolved in recent years?
BH: I believe fly-fishing for Permit has evolved quite drastically in the last 10 years. The use of fluorocarbon leader material, the evolution of new flies, fly lines and fly rods has drastically helped anglers improve their chances of success when pursuing Permit. You have tournaments now where the winning angler is catching 4 to 8 fish. Years ago if one fish was caught you had a sporting chance. I think that more people are willing to spend the time and money pursuing Permit these days than 10 years ago.

Fd: What are the success factors when fly-fishing for permit?
BH: I believe the two biggest skills an angler can possess are the ability to cast accurately and read the body language of the fish once the fly is presented. Staying calm never hurt anything either.

Fd: What are the most important conditions to consider when looking for permit.
BH: I think some of the most important conditions to consider when looking for permit are wind and tide. I like to have a wind at a minimum of 10 kts. The windier the better. In terms of tides I really like the last hour of incoming water and the first hour of the outgoing water. I have caught fish on all tides and weather. With permit you just never know.

Fd: What importance do you give to the fly pattern when fishing for permit?
BH: Not as much as some guides and anglers do. I am more concerned about weight. You can have the most realistic crab fly on the planet, if the angler can’t show it to the fish, it does not matter at all.

Fd: What is your most memorable permit? Why?
BH: As to date the most memorable permit I have guided to is a fish that we caught in July of 2013. A customer’s son who has been working very hard for many years finally caught his first one. He is 12 years old. It was great to share in that experience with him and his father.

Fd: What are the most important skills to be a good fly fisherman for permit?
BH: I think the ability to cast accurately, the ability to see the fish well and the understanding of the fishes movements are all things skilled permit anglers possess. A successful permit angler must enjoy the fish they don't catch almost just as much as the ones they do. As they say “it’s the journey not the destination”.

Fd: What would you recommend to a fisherman who wants to start fly-fishing for permit.
BH: I would recommend they become proficient with the double haul cast. Work on casting into the wind and learn to cast when the wind is coming over the casting shoulder. Get used to casting accurately a heavy-weighted fly.

Fd: Do you remember any fly-fisherman in a special way? Why?
BH: Any angler who fishes with me and approaches the challenge with a good attitude and a willingness to learn will always be remembered. I had a client years ago who was 89 years old. He was dying from cancer and had never fly fished a day in his life. He wanted to catch a Tarpon on fly. His first morning he hooked seven very large fish. It was quite the experience for both of us.

Fd: Can you share some stories or memories about fishing for permit?
BH: I have a lot of them. I remember every spot and permit I have ever guided to. I vividly remember the ones that have gotten away.

Fd: What is fly-fishing for you?
BH: To me fly-fishing is about being out in nature. Fly-fishing has taken anglers to some of the most scenic and wild places on the planet. Fly-fishing for permit is about the challenge to succeed at something that is inherently hard. It is a great feeling helping someone to achieve success.

Fd: How do you see yourself in the next few years?
BH: I hopefully see myself catching more fish. I would love to have some opportunities to fish some in Belize and Cuba.

Fd: Any words to finish the interview?
BH: I can't stress enough how important it is to relax and just have a good time while fishing for permit. If you let them, they will drive you crazy. I’ve seen it happen.