EL PALOMETERO

The Patron Saint of Ascensión Bay

Celebración del día de la Palometa

April 27-29, 2025

EIN 87-4178915

See our About page for more details, below is an overview...

(2026 dates will be April 17-19)

The only continuation of the world’s first international tournament to celebrate the Permit, The Ascensión Bay Permit Tournament.. The tournament officially began in 2014 by lifelong Alps fly fishing guide Tiziano Rizzotto, Pascale LeBlanc and Enrico Puglisi. The Tournament attracted the attention of Italian metal artist Alberto Coppini, who brought the iconic permit sculpture from Milan and placed it prominently in center of Punta Allen.  In 2025, the Mexican Government officially declared Punta Allen “The Permit Capital of the World.”

The celebration took place annually through 2018.  In 2022 it was reborn as El Palometero, the Patron Saint of Ascension Bay. Walter Durkin of Tampa, Florida won the 2022 contest amid stiff competition from 30 anglers. In 2023 master fly tyer Enrico Puglisi took the coveted Coppini Cup and iconic Luchador cape home, beating then reigning champion and 24 other  The 2024 town celebration returned and angler John Hunt took the grand prize.  2025 will again celebrate the people and culture of Puna Allen, Ascension Bay, and the Permit, and is expected to once again reunite fly fishing greats; Chico Fernandez, Enrico Puglisi, Tim Borski, Alberto Coppini, and other fly fishing legends in honor of the Permit.

What is a Palometero?  The Spanish word for permit is palometa.  A palometero a person dedicated to palometas.  In fishing communities it's a title earned by the people who have demonstrated the ability to understand permit so well that they are often guides.  Palometeros not only find, catch, and safely release permit, they also know the fish biology, diet, migrations and reproduction.  They protect the fish, the fish environment, and attract visiting anglers to their local waters for a chance at landing a permit while introducing the guests to their conservation programs, culture, beliefs and way of living.

Enlightenment & Conservation Alliance (E&CA) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to cultural preservation, education, and environmental conservation of the world's remote and exceptional fly-fishing waters, fish, and its people.

Can't make it to the town's celebration but still want to help?

Sponsorships and donations of any kind are available!

Or send an email if you have any questions and someone will get back to you ASAP.

Contact Us:     info@ElPalometero.com