Left to right Tony Murphy Mark Schmidt Simon Becker Tony Skinner

The Saltwater Angler has had its inaugural fly fishing school.  We were excited to have the instructors to be part of the Grand Slam Fly School.  Seasoned or new fly angler, everyone had a great time.  Our guest’s experience was personalized and specific to each angler.  The instructors started everyone off casting from shore – it’s all in the wrist or is it!?  We also had some classroom instruction…a good reason to get out of the Key West heat.  We talked flies, ties, tackle and of course a fish tale or two.

The second day was the true test of knowledge and skill.  So, let’s get down to business and take this instruction offshore…

If you have interests in future fly fishing schools in Key West, Florida…keep in touch with us through our blog or the Saltwater Angler’s web site.  We’ll have more information with available dates and costs very soon.  Fishing you Tight lines – Tamara

The school will be well-balanced with a laid back island style schedule.  Remember your on vacation and this is fun.  As one of the most difficult parts of saltwater fly fishing the cast will be the center of attention, beginning on Thursday, September 24th through Friday, September 25th.  Classes are small (one guide per three students) with an emphasis on professional instruction.  They are designed to accommodate all levels of experience and will include instruction on flies, leaders, knots, clothing, gear, boat positioning, etiquette, the strip, the hook-up, how to fight powerful game fish and the elusive double-haul.  Your first day of fly-fishing school includes fly-casting lessons and lunch at Latitudes, both on the secluded island of Sunset Key, as well as classroom-style learning at The Westin Key West Resort & Marina.

On your second day you will be casting from skiffs on the beach at Sunset Key in order to perfect your technique, eating another alfresco lunch at Latitudes and learning even more in your fly-fishing classroom at the Westin.  In celebration of your new knowledge and skills, your guides will treat you to a cocktail party at the Saltwater Angler. In addition, you will receive 15% off any guided fishing trip during or after the school.

Reserve your space in Grand Slam Fly School by calling Captain Tony Murphy’s Saltwater Angler at 800-223-1629.

The two-day program, including two lunches at Latitudes on Sunset Key, is $699.  After securing space in the fly fishing school, please contact The Westin Key West Resort & Marina at 866-837-4250 to book a guestroom at a special discounted rate by requesting the rate code “SALT.”

And that something might save you a lot of money or time in jail.  So listen up!

I recently had the experience to fish with Captain Tony Murphy on the Key Limey.  We’re on the Gulf side, approximately 10 miles from Key West, FL.  We anchored up and were fortunate to run into some ballyhoo.  Perfect timing (for us not our future bait).  Captain Tony threw out his cast net, pulled in the bait and before I knew it I had hooked onto something substantial.  I was working a Shimano Stella 8000 rod with a Trevala spinning reel and bringing “something” kind of heavy on a 30 lb (Power Pro) line.   And as every angler can relate, the excitement builds as you bring your catch closer to the boat…what could it be…my mouth begins to water as I think about fresh fish for dinner.   We had some idea the kind of fish that was tugging at my line…the anticipation builds and my catch surfaces!  My first “Goliath Grouper” (AKA: Jewish) and a 50 lb one at that!  I say out loud…oh that’s going to be a wonderful dinner….and then Captain Tony breaks the news – You might want to pick something up at the fish market, because you’re not going to be eating this grouper.  It’s protected.   So, I’m O.K. with that…catch and release is a good thing.  Then I look at Captain Tony and ask him to pull it out of the water as I want to hold it.  (I’m thinking Florida Sportsman material).  And again…Captain Tony breaks the news – You can’t take these fish out of the water, not even to take a picture.  It’s a federal law.  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  I honestly thought Captain Tony was pulling my leg, because he knows I can be a bit naive.  But it’s true…he is right.  And boy am I ever glad that I not only caught a 50 lb Goliath Grouper on a 30 lb test…but really glad that Capt. Tony knows his stuff…or else I might not be here writing this blog and be poorer than I already am.

Keep it reel – Tamara

P.S.  We ate ballyhoo for dinner instead!

The school will be well balanced with a laid back island style schedule.  Remember your on vacation and this is fun.  As one of the most difficult parts of saltwater fly fishing the cast will be the center of attention for the two days, beginning on Thursday, September 24th through Friday, September 25th.  Casting sessions as well as a beautiful beach lunch will be hosted by the Westin Sunset Key, a private resort island just a short ferry ride from our shop, The Saltwater Angler.   The rest of the time you will be enjoying the cool AC in a private classroom learning all of the other aspects of our sport.  Nightly cocktail parties will be held at Captain Tony Murphy’s Saltwater Angler.  Here you will be able to have a few drinks and spend some time with Captain Tony and the other instructors as well as be able to browse through Key West’s finest fly shop and clothing store.  At the end of the two days there will be fly fishing guides available at a 15% discount at the regular Saltwater Angler rate.  Put your new found skills to the test while you search the flats for your next trophy catch.

For more information on the fly fishing school, please contact Captain Tony Murphy at 1-800-223-1629 or email him at tony@saltwaterangler.com.

Just because you like lobster and you have a boat it doesn’t mean that you should load up 10 of your closest friends, set out and run over my flat, and the fish on it. Its to bad these things are so damn delicious. I know better than to head out this time of year and try and do any kind of hard core angling. Grab a case of beer,  some sunscreen,  sit back and watch the boat parade. Boats of all shapes and sizes just appear out of no where. These would be captains haven’t been out on the water since last years mini season, and they clearly didn’t retain any of the knowledge they learned last year by running aground.  So they start fresh and crash into everything all over again.

Fish run over, flats roasted, lower units lost, tickle sticks bent, mask fogged, out of gas, out of beer, get in fight, that’s MY bug, no its not, come back in, go back out, that guy looks like he’s fishing, watch out for that flat, oohh he looks pissed, dive flag, big rock, evasive procedure, spilled beer,  where is the dog, sunburn, sand everywhere, GPS broke, wheres the boat ramp, cant back down trailer, jack knife, long ropes, give it gas, chunk out of keel, go home, rinse and repeat.

Thank God its only one more day!—md

Vintage mini season shot.

Capt. Tony Murphy takes us on the adventure of a lifetime…fly fishing for blackfin tuna just off the coast of Key West in the Florida Keys. Saltwater Flyfishing for tuna is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Check out our website for more fishing videos and fly fishing action.

Men, Women, Boys and Girls are all welcome at the fly school. Here casting lessons are given on Sunset Key, just north of key west.

In the tranquil waters off the Florida Keys on a private island just north of
Key West, you will learn what it takes to become a proficient saltwater
fly fisherman. Whether you have been fly fishing for years or just getting
started, our friendly knowledgeable captains will teach you everything you need to know. From flies to leaders, knots, clothing, gear, boat positioning,
etiquette, the strip, the hook up, how to fight these powerful game fish, and
the elusive double haul, you will walk away from this school with the confidence to catch fish the world over.

The Florida keys, and especially Key West, are easily accessed by anglers
wanting all the comforts of home. And unlike Mexico you can drink the water. With daily flights in and out of Key West it is the perfect place for a
weekend retreat.

The school will be well balanced with a laid back island style schedule.
Remember your on vacation and this is fun. As one of the most difficult
parts of saltwater fly fishing the cast will be the center of attention for
the two days. Casting sessions as well as a beautiful beach lunch will be
hosted by sunset key, a private resort island just a short ferry ride from
our shop. The rest of the time you will be enjoying the cool A.C. in a private
classroom learning all of the other aspects of our sport. Nightly cocktail
parties will be held at Captain Tony Murphy’s Saltwater Angler. Here you
will be able to have a few drinks and spend some time with Tony and the
other instructors as well as be able to browse through Key West’s finest fly
shop and clothing store. At the end of the two days your instructors will be
available for charter. Put your new found skills to the test while you
search the flats for your next trophy catch. Please call the Saltwater Angler concerning bookings and availability.—md

From young to old, beginner or avid angler the Saltwater Angler Grand Slam fly school is a great way to learn more about our sport

Like I’ve been saying the bonefishing is good right now, i mean really good.  Recently owner, operator, and shark tamer extraordinaire Tony Murphy was able to take time out of his busy schedule for a little R and R with the fam. Although Key West isn’t known for its beaches

Father Tony Murphy and son Devin enjoying a calm evening just off Key West

or its wade fishing, a short boat ride can take you to some great flats and on a low tide great beaches.  As the family set up shop and enjoyed the late afternoon sun, Tony set out to find some bonefish.  He was quickly rewarded with a hook up. Son Devin came to the rescue and helped dad out with the landing of this nice back country bonefish.  The family dog was also there to help apparently confusing ‘bonefish’ with ‘bone fetch’. Tony was able to keep the beast at bay and get a picture snapped of the father/son first.—md

If you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.  If your not willing to sweat it out July is not the time of year to come down to the keys. Day

Captain Jeff Searcy's client Andrew Cornel with a nice July permit

Nice July bonefish

time highs are around 90 add a little humidty and almost no wind and it gets down right hot out there.  But if you fill the cooler full of ice and cold drinks, wear the proper clothes, and take a boat ride every now and again just to get some air flowing, there is no better time to be here in Key West. Permit of all shapes and sizes are on the flats chewing on crabs.  Anglers during the recent del brown tourny, which ends  today, have racked up 4 to 5 permit in one day. Besides March this might be your best month to catch the most difficult fish on the flats. Enough about permit. Bonefish have been on the flats since April, but so far July has been the best month.  Large schools have been found as well as very large single and double fish.  These fish are averaging around 4-6 lbs with the larger fish in the 8-10 lb range.—md

Well its finally summer here in the keys, and if you can stand the heat its a great time to be out on the water.  While the tarpon fishing is still world cast there are other fish out there to pull on.  Fishing offshore this time of year can be a lot of fun.  Mahi are at the top of the species list but the wreck fish are where the real fight is.  Jiggin for groupers is a blast. While still considered light tackle, fish are caught in close to 200 feet of water using bucktail jigs.  If your lucky enough to fight the fish away from the structure your family will thank you because these are some great eatin fish.

Dominick Porcelli with a stud summertime grouper