Bob Rich is a storyteller. Many people know this about Rich through his nearly three decades-old friendships made in the course of fishing across the globe and through his books. As a gentleman angler, a competitor, guest lecturer, fly-fishing partner, a sponsor, an IGFA board member, a benefactor for numerous causes, a multi-event host or sharing a drink and humor with him dockside, Rich can weave a story.

The author of four popular non-fiction books, he now takes on the role of a raconteur in his first novel Looking Through Water, which debuted internationally in book stores this fall. "I'm pretty excited about it," said Rich. "I've always wanted to do a novel. When I started Looking Through Water, I found the best way to begin was to set it against backdrops I've always loved; fishing, Manhattan, the Adirondacks and the Florida Keys."

The narrative centers on William McKay who finds himself reliving his past to help his troubled grandson, Kyle, deal with the present. The old man wants desperately to discover what is troubling the brooding boy and hopes against hope that sharing his own tortuous journey to self-discovery will lift him from his dark place.

William's story starts on an Adirondacks lake and wends its way through Manhattan to the Florida Keys. Interesting characters from the old man's past come to life to help him tell an unforgettable story full of surprises and suspense. "It's a love story and an adventure story, filled with conflict, emotion and healing. It's a great coming-of-age tale. And it has guns, shooting, dying and of course, since it's the Florida Keys, fishing too. It has all the elements for a good story," Rich said.

"The cover artwork is by John Swan," he added. "And the chapter pages are pen and ink drawings sketched by Craig Reagor. I had great fun inventing colorful characters and plot twists and have enjoyed reader's reactions," the affable Rich said with a smile.

Looking Through Water is available on Amazon.com, BN.com, and at BobRichBooks.com.

Always the philanthropist, Bob Rich said proceeds will benefit the Project Healing Waters, dedicated to helping injured veterans and active duty military heal from physical and emotional wounds through fishing. Along with helping many other non-profit charities, the author has raised millions for the Redbone and a cure for cystic fibrosis from his annual BassEye fishing tournaments in Buffalo, N.Y. and Golden Isles Red*Trout events on St. Simons Island, Ga.

For more on Looking Through Water plus videos of Bob giving insights into the novel, please go to BobRichBooks.com.

About Bob Rich

Whether it's fishing for trout or tarpon, bass, bonefish or billfish (International Angler recently documented his catch-and-release of a grander black marlin in Australia), marathon swimming or long-distance cycling, they're all favorites of author, entrepreneur, respected global business leader and philanthropist Bob Rich.

As chairman of family owned Rich Products Corporation, Rich has grown the Buffalo, N.Y.-based food and seafood (SeaPak) companies to 100 locations worldwide. For nearly three decades he's been an active participant, sponsor and host of numerous Redbone Celebrity Fishing Tournaments raising millions of dollars to find a cure for cystic fibrosis, along with many other meaningful non-profit charities.

His four other books include three on fishing: The Right Angle; The Fishing Club: Brothers and Sisters of the Angle; and Fish Fights: A Hall of Fame Quest; plus a motivational book (co-authored with Scott Friedman) Secrets From the Delphi Café: Unlocking the Code to Happiness.