saw something on another site- Pat Abate has sold the shop to a long-time customer/friend named Joe Thomas. toby had a piece in TheFisherman about it as well. word is Pat will stay on board for a while duri ng the transition- just wants to be free to fish a little more I guess.........

best of luck to new owner- its a great shop!

Yep, Pat sold the shop to Joe Thomas - Titan here on S-B. I wish the best to Joe and have the utmost confidence that he'll do the shop proud! Now maybe Pat can get out and fish more than only 3 or 4 times a week. :)

Good luck to the new owner. Lets hope he does as good a job as Pat did.

Joe is a nice guy as well as a fantastic surfcaster. Im sure he will maintain that shop's legacy.

I am very confident and excited about the direction Joe will take the shop in...

Wow - Good Luck!

Pat - Go Fishing :btu:

Joe is a nice guy.

Best of luck to him and to Pat in his retirement.

Still going to perform authorized service for VS?

wow a Member of S-B running a fishin tackle shop
that's very cool... Good Luck Titan

Looking forward to the new owner and shop.

I want to thank everyone for all of the well wishes and support. I have been a member of this site for many years and truly feel at home here. I am a fanatical surfcaster (my vacations always seem to revolve around the new moons in June, Sept. And Oct) and have been a member of the Connecticut Surfcasters for about 10 years. I have started working with Pat this week to begin planning for a big surf day celebration scheduled for March 22nd. I really look forward to meeting many of you in the upcoming season. May we all go large this year!

Also, Rivers End will continue to be a VS service center.

Joe, Congratulations on the your purchase of Rivers End. I am sure you will continue the great legacy of Pat Abate. Two truly humble and expert anglers. Good luck to you both!

Best of luck Joe

Congrats Joe.....passing from the hands of one sharpie to another. Best of luck
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I'm very happy to hear Rivers End was sold to another passionate surfcaster. Now that's great news. Best of luck to you Joe. I'll be stopping by soon. :btu:

Congratulations Joe.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Best of luck with it!

Congrats, Best of Luck!

Thank you Pat for everything, I'll always remember RiversEnd as the place I got started, and congrats Joe, knowing you, it will be a place I can continue to grow as a surfcaster!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Many wishes for continued success Joe. Looking forward to many visits to the shop. One stop for a surfcaster FIX!!!

Congrats on the purchase. Pat is a good guy and has been very helpful. I will stop in and say hello.

Pat, I big THANK YOU for all you have done for me over the years helping me become a better fisherman. And for your support of my family... It is truly appreciated.

Joe, I'm sure the RET legacy will be in good hands!!

Best to you both in your respective future endeavors!!

Dan P

Pat congrats on the retirement its what we all work for. You will be missed. Joe congrats on a new chapter in your life. Rivers end can only prosper. Jason k.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Congrats and best wishes to Pat. Titan - if you need a speaker/presenter for Rivers End surf day let me know - be glad to help out.

DZ

Good luck Titan. as a jersey guy, River's End has always been a blessing when traveling up 95 to fish in CT, RI or MA. Awesome, well stocked, clean shop with everything you need.

Good Luck Joe . try and fish as much as you can .

just got my vs back from service and it looks as good as new! thanks!

Wish you the best, my friend!

Congrats Joe! Pat hope you can get to Block and Montauk more this year......

I want to welcome Joe and thank everyone for their kind words and good wishes. It's been a good run, met a lot of great people and friends for life. Thanks again for letting me have the best job in the world, no regrets.
Pat

Hey Pat - a big congrats - job well done!

Going to miss that long ride down south with all your breakfast and lunch stops!

Talk to you when back in CT for the relatives,

Rich

Congrats to Joe and Pat. Just got my VS back and as usual, a fine job and quick turnaround. The tradition continues!