It is with mixed emotions that I bid a fond fairwell to Chase Foster of American Tackle. Chase has been a cornerstone to the business for quite some time now and his knowledge is second to none. Blank construction, characteristics, guide anatomy, reelseat construction, you name it. He was invaluable and a true asset to me and my company. Chase has always been timely, never afraid to stand up and say he messed up, always a good ear to listen to our needs and the first to supply the right product the first time. I have become close with Chase over the years and I am honored to call him a GREAT FRIEND.

Chase has taken an opportunity that is more conducive to his degree in Environmental Science , as an Environmental Biologist. Lord knows that after the destruction of this past summer, your services and knowledge will be greatly needed in the gulf.

Chase, I wish you nothing but pure success in your field of passion and I sincerely hope that our paths will cross again real soon!

In Hawaiian, "Aloha" means hello and goodbye. I am not saying goodbye as I hope to keep in touch with you throughout the rest of our lives.

So, Chase, my friend,

ALOHA

Kevin Knox

I second Kevin's sentiments. Chase has been wonderful to work with and I will miss him at American Tackle but hope to meet him again in his new life.

Chase is the best salesman, manager etc etc , in this business. A great guy, I wish him the best.

Wish him all the success in the world, but I'm sure going to miss the nights in the hotel lounge at the show!!!!!!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Hi All,

We should have the place down here draped in black. Chase is gone and he will be sorely missed. His last day was Saturday at the open house. We fished Tampa Bay Sunday with Chase and friends to give him a proper send off. We enjoyed a beautiful day out on the water with lots of fish & laughter.

We had the pleasure of having Chase on board for 7 years. He came in as a fresh faced teenager and left a man in every respect. People just loved him. He will succeed in anything he does whether it’s marine biology or any other endeavor. We wish him the very best.

I would get calls from customers looking for Chase. When I’d tell them he was out of the office I could hear the disappointment in their voices. “Well you’ll just have to suck it up and give your order to me” : ). He was a friend too many including Darrin and I and we will all miss him.

His presence here will never be replaced but we have to accept it and move on. We are taking the necessary steps to insure we provide Chase’s level of customer service you all have come to expect. It will be a challenge but we will try our best to meet your needs.

Mick Hinton a rod builder here in the Orlando area, will be a new addition to the staff as well as Hunter McKamey Bob McKamey's son, whom many of you have come to know at all the Rod Building fuctions Custom Tackle was involved with. Both have rodbuilding in their blood and we are hopeful they can meet or exceed your needs going forward.

Best of Luck to you Chase! Joe Meehan, American Tackle

Gotta love seeing them put Chase put to work up until the very last minute on Saturday, squeezing every last drop out of him. I only got to see him once a year in HP, we always enjoyd laughs and some convo's and a variety of topics. Great guy, I wish him the best and hope he stays in touch with this industry.