About
Who We Are
Choo Choo Fly & Tackle is one of the South's oldest, dedicated fly shops operating as a full service outfitter since 1977. Offering both guided local fishing trips and destination travel services while also providing the finest fly fishing, conventional fishing, and bird/waterfowl hunting gear & apparel with credibility and trusted experience has led to Choo Choo Fly & Tackle's reputation as a premier fly shop and outfitter in the region.
Storefront
Store Interior Store InteriorHistory of Choo Choo Fly & Tackle
In 1977, Chattanooga native and trout fishing enthusiast Keith "Keithie" Kropp Jr. started Choo Choo Fly & Tackle as a small, custom rod-building operation with limited services and fly fishing products. He soon opened Choo Choo Fly & Tackle in a space at Choo Choo Dive Shop at the corner of Lupton Drive and Hixson Pike and began selling Cortland fly fishing gear.
Keith Kropp III
The store moved in 1982 to Ashland Terrace where it shared space with Backcountry Outdoors. Tragically, Kropp passed away in an accident in 1983. With the shop's future in limbo, Kropp's father Keith Sr. took over operating Choo Choo Fly & Tackle for its dedicated following of local anglers. During the next four years, the shop grew modestly not only by adding Orvis products but also by moving it to its own space just footsteps away in the same Ashland Terrace complex.
The Kropps
In 1987, the Kropp family decided to retire and sold Choo Choo Fly & Tackle to avid fly fishing angler Les Kirk of Chattanooga. Kirk maintained the shop at Ashland Terrace for several more years growing its business and regional recognition by expanding its services into classes, offering hosted travel to the Western Rockies, and opening lines such as Sage and R.L. Winston. By this time, Choo Choo Fly & Tackle was widely known and respected as Chattanooga's hometown fly shop.
Les Kirk
After several years of growth, the Kirks moved Choo Choo Fly & Tackle in 1996 to a newly developing area of downtown called Frazier Avenue. From this location, the shop began offering local guided fishing trips. The Kirks continued growing the business and maintained the shop's presence for several more years.
In 2001, Chattanooga native Mac McGee purchased Choo Choo Fly & Tackle from the Kirks. McGee continued operating the shop at Frazier Avenue until 2005 when he moved it down the street to its current free-standing, 3500 sq. foot location on Cherokee Boulevard. Through McGee's ownership, Choo Choo Fly & Tackle has grown into more than just a dedicated fly shop as it now offers premium casual wear, quality conventional fishing tackle, bird/waterfowl hunting gear, expanded local guided services incorporating trout and bass fishing, and broadened destination travel services and hosted trips.
Mac McGee
