Reel Truth

"There are three things you should never be late for — work, church, and fishing."

— Inspired by A River Runs Through It

Some of the most important conversations of my life have happened standing in a river. Not in an office. Not in a classroom. Not sitting behind a screen. But knee-deep in cold water, watching a float drift downstream, talking with someone who's finally willing to be honest.

I've listened to veterans carrying wounds nobody can see. I've talked with people struggling through loss, addiction, loneliness, and uncertainty. I've watched walls come down in places where words seem to come easier than they do anywhere else. That's when I realized something — fishing isn't really about the fish. It's about connection. Connection to each other. Connection to creation. And ultimately, connection to God.

It Started With Family. I was raised in a family where fishing wasn't just a hobby — it was part of who we were. My grandmother Doris was my greatest mentor. She taught me how to fish before I could even spell the word. Some of my earliest memories are tied to rivers, lakes, and family fishing trips throughout the Pacific Northwest. The water taught me patience. It taught me respect. It taught me that the best things in life rarely happen in a hurry.

Turning Passion Into Purpose. In my early twenties I made the decision to go back to school. I graduated from community college and transferred to Eastern Washington University, where I studied Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. After graduation I moved to Bellingham, Washington — surrounded by salmon runs, mountain rivers, and some of the most beautiful water in the country. I was studying the science behind the fish I had spent my life chasing. But something was still missing. I understood fish. I understood rivers. What I was still learning was purpose.

Finding Something Deeper. Around that same time, my faith journey began to deepen. I entered OCIA, was baptized, and was confirmed into the Catholic Church. As my relationship with Christ grew, I joined the Knights of Columbus, where I found a strong sense of brotherhood, service, and purpose. Faith isn't something we're meant to keep to ourselves — it's meant to be lived out. At the same time, I began noticing something remarkable. The conversations I had while fishing were different. The river seemed to create space. Space to slow down. Space to think. Space to heal. And in those moments, I began to recognize God's presence in a way I never had before.

Where Reel Truth Was Born. Over time I realized that fishing has always been connected to faith. Christ called fishermen. Peter cast his nets. Ordinary people encountered God on the water. People weren't looking for another argument — they were looking for hope. They were looking for purpose. They were looking for truth. That's when Reel Truth was born. Not as a business. Not as a brand. But as a mission. A community where people can come together through a shared love of fishing, grow in faith, support one another, and shine light into the places that too often stay hidden in the dark.

The Mission. Whether you're a lifelong angler, someone searching for purpose, a veteran carrying unseen burdens, a father trying to lead his family, or simply someone looking for a place to belong — there's a place for you here. Because sometimes the greatest catch isn't the fish. It's the friendship you didn't know you needed. It's the healing you thought wasn't possible. It's the faith you thought you'd lost. And it's the truth you discover along the way.

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up." — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

— Richard Armin Bomhard Jr.

All Glory Be to God ✝️