Permit Record Rescinded

The 16-lb. class tippet record for permit has been rescinded by the IGFA. According to Jason Schratwieser, World Record Administrator for the IGFA, there was not enough information submitted by the angler to warrant the original granting of the record. Rhode Island angler Brian Eliason submitted the record with guide Jeff Belsik of Florida’s Big Pine Key after catching and releasing the fish, which measured 34 inches around and 48 inches long, on February 7, 2003. It was originally reported on ESPN and elsewhere that the fish weighed 51 pounds — almost 10 pounds larger than the largest permit previously caught on fly, Del Brown’s 41.5-pounder taken near Key West in 1986 with Captain Steve Huff. (Thanks to reader David Dalu for bringing this news to our attention.)