ABOUT US

Letter From The Owner, Travis Katski

Fishing was given to me at an early age. Both Grandads and my Dad showed me the Chesapeake Bay, and there was little I could do to refuse the beauty and magic of fishing. It wasn’t with a fly rod, but soon enough, Flip Pallot was on my TV every Saturday morning on The Walkers Cay Chronicles. Watching Flip’s sense of adventure and devotion to the water subsequently ignited the fire that fueled me to spend much of the 90’s tying flies and fly fishing whenever and wherever I could. From trailering a friend’s 16’ jon boat built with a plywood deck, astro turf interior, and a pine dowel push pole to Fiesta Key, all the way back to Maryland to fly fish the same waters I grew up with. I fished every chance I could, but work took over, and I lost fly fishing for about twenty years. 

In 2017, my family and I took a vacation to the Keys - a reunion of longer than 17 years for me. Every memory from youth flooded back to me, and I felt a calling to the area; this time, not just the water and the fish that swim in the water. This time around, I felt a connection to the people. And as I spent more time in the Keys with my family, I learned and saw what our environment needs from us - stewardship, community, and protection.

After Hurricane Irma, I felt a reinforced connection to the people of the Keys. The City of Marathon showed me compassion after my house, and so many other houses, were destroyed in the storm. It is at a city’s lowest points when its true character is shown. This is what led to the evolution of Seven Mile Fly Shop. I wanted to create a place where everyone could come after a trip and recollect the day’s adventures, where beginners and advanced anglers alike could collect as one community, a fly shop that would represent the amazing people of Marathon, and the Florida Keys in general. The Florida Keys are close to my heart, and I want to share that with the world.

Sincerely,

Travis

 

 

OUR MISSION

Seven Mile Fly Shop was born and built on the strong foundations of the Florida Keys fly fishing community. We are a premier outfitter and full service fly shop, but moreso, we are passionate anglers, conservationists, and stewards of our environment. We are artists, guides, and everyday people of the Florida Keys community. 
Our promise is to provide the best customer service, top notch products, and an environment for you to celebrate Florida Keys fly fishing. From the flats to the backcountry and beyond, we can’t wait to share our home waters with you. It is our pledge to answer your questions, keep you updated, and on the water as much as possible. Stay a while and wet your line, everyone is welcome at the shop before the bridge.

JILLIAN TISDALE, MANAGER

A born and raised Floridian, Jillian's passion for the Everglades and all things outdoors dates back to her childhood, where she fell in love with fishing and later, hunting. In the Keys, Jillian is an obsessive tarpon angler, her favorite part of fly fishing being the physical and mental challenge. Jillian is a meticulous rigging expert, with experience and knowledge on all things knots to keep everything connected for you in the chaos of the fight. You can find Jillian in the shop, wrangling a tarpon, and even working  as Keys Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for Captains For Clean Water. Keeping Florida's water pristine is important to Jillian, and she is always working towards positive conservation efforts. 
  

JAMES MERIWETHER, SALES ASSOCIATE 

Whether it's chasing turkeys deep in the hardwoods, throwing decoys out in the freezing rain, or stalking the flats with a fly rod in hand - James loves everything outdoors. He grew up in Mississippi where he refined his love for fishing and hunting. James began fishing in the Keys at age 13 and quickly fell in love with the fishery. A couple of years later, he hooked his first Tarpon on fly and promptly became obsessed. Now in the Keys, James has made it his mission to learn anything and everything he can about the fly fishing community. Whether it's before work, after work, or on his days off he is out on the flats chasing fish. In the shop, James commits his time to learning and refining all things fly fishing through the relationships he develops with local anglers and guides. 
 
Call us at 305-440-3406 or come see the shop at 1638 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050!
 

BROOKS FORBIS, SALES ASSOCIATE

 

Brooks has had a strong passion for fishing that was instilled into him at a very young age. From the bayous of Louisiana to spending his summers in the Lower Keys, Brooks was always in a boat and on the water.  Those early lessons carried over to the flats of the Keys where he has honed his skills targeting trophy fish. Brooks loves talking fly fishing and is always researching ways to get an edge on the water.