Hey guys,

I saw another post on here about the sale of the company. THX to all the guys that supported or offered congrats, much appreciated!!! As always there's the less than positive guys. Here's some facts guys, and the ones of you that know me, know I've got a stubborn streak a mile wide, and no one will put words in my mouth, period. We're still an advertiser on TFF. All of our team is staying and working out of the SS warehouse. It'll take a little while, but you'll be seeing more GSM products in SS warehouse, even a few hunting blinds out front. All pro-staff stay, with no changes. I'm hired to stay around at a nice salary (100% my choice), I believe in what GSM is doing and their PEOPLE, so I invested heavily in GSM (again 100% my choice). I happen to know the Pres/CEO and Sales Manager very well over the last 4 years. I asked the CEO what are my parameters? What can I do or not do? He simply said "do what you always do". We got hit with big Dick's Sporting Goods order late today, and it needs to be ready early to mid-morning, the guys asked if they could come in two hours early tomorrow to make sure everything is done and ready. This is interesting topic in itself. First off, obviously my team is committed, which shows great moral, and everyone is working together. Secondly, this requires overtime. Which has never fazed me in the least, but we all know overtime in big companies is "not preferred", I okayed it on the spot, as a decision I would normally make. I later sent a text to both CEO and sales manager and got a quick response, all good!!! I'm sure there'll be some changes, but I'll be involved, and common sense will prevail. These are great people with GSM. The only big change is our systems for everything. This is a big change so anyone walking in or calling in an order, we'll be a little slower than usual as we all learn this new system. Please give us a couple of weeks and we'll be back to normal. The system is working and it's almost business as usual. There's another change and it's 100% on me. We're going to drop our Seirra Micro guide series. I've been cutting it down every year as sales decline in micros. We only have 9 models left and the sales numbers have dropped 75% in last two years. It's simply not worth keeping and needed to go away. Again, 100% my call. The Dobyns baits may get moved to another bait brand GSM owns. No decision has been made, but it would make sense as we're a rod company. I'll be working on some new baits as well. If I could've gotten my kids and grandkids here things might have been different and might not have changed either. I hit that BIG 65 number two weeks ago and for the first time in my life a birthday bothered me a bit!! I'll get to spend more time with grandkids and keep on trying to drag them out of NorCal to TEXAS!!! I do look forward to the new challenges of helping GSM with a bunch of their brands and future brands. Just a little hint Plus, have you guys seen all the hunting shi* GSM owns My wife is concerned, because if I get a deal I kinda go overboard a bit THX guys and drop by our warehouse if you're in the neighborhood!!! Look forward to seeing you!!!

Gary no explanation needed, your doing what's best for you and your family. I'll still continue to support your brand.

First of all Gary, congrats on the sale! Second, I own several of your rods (had the pleasure of meeting you in Sulphur Springs and bought my first Xtasy when you first moved the warehouse right around the start of Covid). Finally, the fact that you would take the time to go directly to your customers in a forum like this (and on Facebook) should tell anyone all they need to know about you as an owner, a manager, and a person. My hat is off to you sir and enjoy your hard won rewards. As a fellow entrepreneur I know all to well the sleepless nights, knots in your stomach when things don't go well and you have to see the family at the dinner table and don't really want to tell them why you are just pushing your food around the plate, and all of the other stresses that go into building a successful business of any size. I already loved my Dobyns rods for how they perform, now I have another reason to revel in pulling one out of the rod locker.

Gary Dobyns - Thanks for the post.

Makes FTT very sad.

Been a big supporter for a long time. Good for you Gary.

Congrats Gary!!

Gary thanks for the update, I commented and probably got a little to speculative, my apologies. I'm glad it's working out, sounds like they are going to be able to take the brand and expand it quite a bit and create growth that will more than provide for everyone involved. I'm in the process of starting up my first business and within the year will have another one up and running. It's a learning experience for sure.

Gary, thanks for the update! Always been a fan of your rods.

Especially my Mike Long Signature Series rods, the 784 jig rod and 795 swimbait rods have performed flawlessly!

That 784 is probably my favorite rod. Caught my PB on it!

Congrats on the changes, you have to love what opportunities this great country can provide!

Best of luck Gary, I met you years ago at a BASS Classic in Louisiana and enjoyed talking fishing rods with you.

784, 734, 736 and 795 are my favorites, I own a bunch of them.

Congrats on the next chapter Gary!!

Love your rods and congrats on the next phase of your life sir, time to enjoy all that hard work.