Fishing club to host Captain Rick Murphy

Captain Rick Murphy poses with one of the many fish he has caught. He plans on teaching students new tips and techniques for catching fish. Photo provided by Rick Murphy.

Professional angler, fishing guide, and Sportsman’s Adventures television host Captain Rick Murphy will be on-campus Feb. 6 at 7:00 p.m. for a seminar in the library media center to speak about fishing techniques and water safety.  The Fishing Club, which is hosting the event, will not charge admission fees to attend, but hopes to raise money through donations and a raffle for Fishing and Conservation Trust’s “Kids Lets Go Fishing” to take underprivileged children on The Reward fishing fleet.

According to the Sportsman’s Adventures official website, renowned angler Captain Rick Murphy has won the four-event Keys Tarpon fly fishing series — one of only two fishing guides to ever do so.   In addition, he has also won Angler of the Year Honors by ESPN, FLW, and IFA Redfish Tours.  As a fishing guide primarily in South Florida, he has led anglers to numerous grand championships in major South Florida fishing tournaments.

The show’s website states, “In a nutshell, Capt. Rick Murphy loves to fish, and he doesn’t care what the species is, as long as it will test your skill and sportsmanship to catch. He essentially is living the dream by earning a living doing what he loves most.”

President and founder of the Fishing Club, senior Austin Wood, hopes that club members learn new beneficial techniques.

“I want the members of the Fishing Club to learn how to catch species they normally target in different ways that Captain Rick Murphy can teach us. Also, we will learn conservation of the environment that we fish in as well as safety while on the water,” said Wood.

Aside from working out on the water, Murphy teaches practicing anglers more about the sport as host of Sportsman’s Adventures.  Similarly, he hosts Florida Insider Fishing Report on the SUN Sports Network. Fishing Club members are anticipating his appearance, hoping to enhance their fishing skills by learning from a professional.

“I’m really excited that he is coming. He is a great angler and I know that he can teach us all something,” said senior David Mills.

The club looks forward to a great turnout to hear Capt. Murphy, and hopes attendees will donate or participate in the raffle they will hold during the event to take members and underprivileged children on a fishing trip.  Attendees may purchase raffle tickets at the seminar, with prizes including new fishing rods, lures, and other fishing tools.

“Our biggest accomplishment, I believe, was when we shared our passion with the underprivileged children last year when we took them fishing,” said Wood.