Murphy is a self-proclaimed fishing addict.

Today, Tony Murphy is a limey who brings fun and laughter to the Florida Keys, both with his light-tackle guide business on his boat Key Limey and at Captain Tony Murphy’s Saltwater Angler fishing outfitter.

After years honing his skills, Murphy is an expert angler and guide, but spends most of his time managing the Saltwater Angler.

“I always want to have fun; it’s all about having fun,” Murphy said. “When it comes to guiding, if you’re having fun, your equipment is fantastic, your boat is clean and you present yourself … then the fish are just extra.”

Murphy attributes his success as a guide to his passion for fishing and unconditional ability to have fun.

He caught his first chub fish at age 4 in the Thames River, and he’s been hooked on angling ever since. The self-proclaimed fishing fanatic grew up in London, and spent every weekend fishing with his uncle 30 miles away in Henley.

A two-week teenage holiday turned into a life change for the Londoner when he met a third-generation Key West native, fell in love, got married and moved to the Keys.

Murphy began living in the Keys in 1986 and took his first job on a boat in 1988 as the first mate on the Lucky II. Later, with two days’ instruction, he learned commercial fishing and spent four years pursuing the profession.

“Down here when you actually show up for work, word gets around,” Murphy said. “You get a lot of opportunities and sometimes lucky things just happen to you.”

Even as a young man in his 20s, Murphy found the commercial fishing industry took a toll on his body, so he transitioned into guiding. In an era when Key West boasted some of the pioneers of angling, his youth and attitude enabled him to reel with the best of them.

“What was a little different for me, early on, was that the guides that were around at that time were a little bit older and a lot grumpier,” Murphy said. “I really like to make people laugh, feel comfortable and relax.”

The limey’s lively persona and guiding expertise earned Murphy the limelight on many television shows over the years.

He was one of the expert anglers who worked with ESPN to put together the Madfin Shark Series Tournament, also a top-rated television series, and participated in and won the event for three consecutive years. In addition, he was the guide of three television shows based on shark fishing for the famed Bill Dance of “Bill Dance Outdoors.”

Murphy’s most challenging catch came in 2008, when a client offered him the opportunity to purchase a premier Key West angling outfitter called the Saltwater Angler.

Murphy's philosophy is "When it comes to guiding, if you're having fun, your equipment is fantastic, your boat is clean and you present yourself ... then the fish are just extra."

Today he guides a few days a week, mostly for repeat clients, but spends most of his time running the Saltwater Angler. There he oversees 24 employees and refers business to 32 flats guides, 15 light-tackle guides and eight offshore boats. He hopes to make the Saltwater Angler an iconic shop that’s a must-see for all visitors to Key West.

“In the Florida Keys, we have so much going for us,” he said. “By the time we get people down here, it’s our job as guides to make sure they have a ‘Florida Keys experience,’ and I love being a part of their experience.”

Murphy is remarried, raising two sons and devotes his free time to his family. Happily settled in the subtropical Keys, he never wants to live in the cold hustle and bustle of London again — but, like a true limey, will forever have a passion for soccer, rugby and cricket.

written by:  By Christina Baez

Find more news about the Florida Keys by clicking here

At this time the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will not extend this closure to state waters less than nine nautical miles from shore.  This rule will also not affect the recreational catch of red or black grouper.

The FWC has updated the information at its grouper regulations page on its website. For more information see this link.

http://myfwc.com/RULESANDREGS/Saltwater_Regulations_Grouper.htm

This is the official release from NOAA.

Tom Rosenbauer,  is joined by Peter Kutzer of the Orvis Fly Fishing School to talk about common casting mistakes. We’ve all made them, in this podcast learn how to identify and fix them.

Click here to listen.

Produced by The Orvis Company and hosted by Tom Rosenbauer, author of The Orvis Fly Fishing Guide, this podcast will provide you with tips on how to get the most of your time on the water.

captain Tony Murphy with one of eight

Hello Anglers!  We welcome everyone a warm Island greeting from the Saltwater Angler!   The winter time is upon us (minus all the snow), the water is cooling off and winter species are coming in.  Offshore fishing has been great lately, with sailfish crashing ballyhoo up on the reef.  Blackfin tuna are busting down to the west, and snappers and groupers pushing in shallow with the cold water.  Baitfish flies are a great choice for this type of fishing, from pilchard flies to ballyhoo flies.  Inshore fishing has finally transitioned into winter, with big barracudas and sharks pushing up onto the flats.  Needlefish or ballyhoo flies work great for barracudas.  Seatrout and jacks have moved into the basins bringing non-stop action. There are still some permit moving around up on the flats and a chance a baby tarpon in the mangroves if weather is permitting.  Crab or shrimp flies work good for the permit, baitfish or gurgler flies work for the tarpon.  If you would like to get out with us just give us a call at 1-305-296-0700 and we will help you get set up and out on the water.

Inshore temperature: 68 Degrees F

Offshore temperature: 74 Degrees F

If you’d like to make a reservation with one of our guides, please email or telephone us.  Our email address is info@saltwaterangler.com or phone us at 1-305-296-0700.

Tight Lines,

Captain Tony Murphy

Tight Lines!

Captain Tony Murphy

Tom Rosenbauer Fly Fishing Expert

knows you may pick up a new hobby…or decide continue to buy your flies.  Happy listening…As Tom was sitting down to tape this episode we got an email from a listener that made us all smile regarding his daughter’s first fly. Tom reads it in this episode and tt was good timing as Tom lays out the basics of what you need to get into fly tying as a great addition to your fly fishing experience… but don’t get into it thinking you’re going to save money on flies!

Good lighting, a comfortable seat, reading glasses and this podcast episode are a great start to a rewarding, lifelong hobby.

Listen Here to Fly Tying 101

Tom Rosenbauer, Fly Fishing Aficionado

Bait Fish Migration

Click on the above link and listen to Tom’s favorite time of year. Here are some great tips he’s learned over the years.

Produced by The Orvis Company and hosted by Tom Rosenbauer, author of The Orvis Fly Fishing Guide, this podcast will provide you with tips on how to get the most of your time on the water.  Read more about Orvis at