There has to be an easier way...

The simple design of the Reel Thang was developed by Huey Cryer, native of Evans, Louisiana. He was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church, a carpenter missionary for the Good Shepherd Mission, and a retired insulator.

He fished Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Lake Livingston, and at his own back door, the Sabine River; loving every minute of it. Huey was an avid fisherman, and believed in using whatever tackle and tool was available to make the job easier.

Many times as I was growing up, Huey would take his sons, my brothers, and myself camping, fishing, and hunting. We spent many hours with this man we knew then as Mr. Cryer, and what great hours they were!

I later became his son-in-law and our relationship grew sweeter as we spent more time together.

In 1998, Huey developed salmonella. Shortly afterwards, because of organ damage caused by this disease, he suffered a heart attack. Then, in October 1999, he was diagnosed with cancer of the stomach. It was during these illnesses that he began to think of and develop what would become “the Reel Thang”. At first he would not share his idea with anyone, except for myself. Together we dreamed of what this could and would be.
“My dad” came up with one of the simplest and most useful ideas every fisherman should be happy to own. Due to the seriousness of Huey’s health-plans for “the Reel Thang” had to be put on hold. Although, he would not live to see the end results physically, Huey knew without a doubt what he had. “Dad” went home May 26, 2000.

He left the design of “the Reel Thang” to his wife and myself with the instructions of what his dreams were. Not only did Huey want “the Reel Thang” to work out financially for his wife and family, but it was his hope and desire that it would be used to support the ministries that he had helped and worked with during the last years of his life.

This is one of the reasons we named this “the Reel Thang”. It is our prayer that others might come to know Jesus Christ as “The Real Thing” in their lives.

From Huey’s friend, son-in-law and pastor, David Richmond.
Matthew 4:19