Faces Of Nantucket: Tammy King

Years on Nantucket: Born and raised

Favorite things about the island: The beach and fishing, especially Smith’s Point, the peacefulness found on the island, and the “old Nantucket” feel and island quirks.

A Nantucket native, Tammy King has established herself as a trailblazer in the fishing industry, breaking through the waves of a traditionally male-dominated world. With her deep love for the island and unyielding passion for fishing, King has built a thriving business that’s more than just catching fish – it’s about empowering women, preserving tradition, and giving back to the community.

King’s connection to Nantucket and love for fishing runs deep. Born and raised on the island, she was introduced to fishing by her parents who owned a charter business at Jetties Beach. 

“They are the ones that inspired me to fish, and they brought us up fishing," she said. Along with her five sisters, King spent countless days camping on the beaches and fishing as a family.

After attending the Swain School of Design in New Bedford, where she studied art for three and a half years, King returned to Nantucket and dabbled in various entrepreneurial ventures. She owned and operated a store called Party Pak and a sweatshirt and t-shirt shop named Atlantic Wave, where she designed her own apparel.

However, her passion for fishing quickly drew her back to the water. Encouraged by Corey Gammill, from Bill Fisher Tackle, who recognized her potential as a guide, King decided to give guiding a try in an industry where there wasn’t yet a woman in the role.

“I didn’t want to ruin my fishing,” King admits. “But I took one guy out, and all he wanted to do was beat his brother in a fishing tournament against each other, and it was so much fun. And that’s how it started.”

Now, King’s business Fish Girl Guides (@fishgirlack on Instagram) is about five years old and has grown to be very successful. Specializing in guiding and teaching, King offers personalized fishing experiences for both beginners and experienced anglers alike. Her approach is simple: “It’s not a guarantee you’ll catch a fish, but it’s a guarantee you’ll have a great time and learn something new.”

With Fish Girl Guides, one of King’s primary goals is to empower women through fishing. In a sport that’s typically dominated by men, she wants to break down barriers and encourage more women to pick up a fishing rod.

“I want to take as many women with me as I possibly can, so that they have this same opportunity, the same sense of independence and enjoyment, and take on something that seems uncomfortable for most,” King explains.

To support this mission, King organizes women’s fishing groups, where 100 percent of the proceeds go to local women-centered charities, including the Sally Roberts Mentor Scholarship Fund and the Marla Ceely Lamb Fund. These initiatives not only give back to the community but also help create a supportive environment in which women can learn something new together while helping make positive change.

“I want as many women to come running and barreling through it and taking [fishing] over right now,” King adds.

King’s commitment to giving back to the community is inspired by her mother, one of her biggest role models. King sees her work as a way to maintain her family’s legacy and keep giving back.

“My mother inspired me,” King says. “By her giving and working so hard and her compassion and care for the island… that inspired me to have the strength to do some of this and be part of this.”

Whether it’s through her fishing guides, women’s groups, or her participation in local fishing tournaments, King is determined to preserve the island’s fishing traditions and pass them on to the next generation – something she’s already done with her own daughter, who she often pairs up with in tournaments.

Beyond her business, King goes scalloping in the winter and is one of the few women who works in the island's commercial fleet. After helping other peers and captains to learn the trade, King got her commercial license last year, which allows her to stay out on the water in the winter.

“It's one of the hardest jobs I've ever done in my life, and I give kudos to every single woman who has come before me and done it,” she says.