Shakespeare & Co. is pleased to host a reading and discussion with celebrated author Roger W. Thompson on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 7:00 pm. Thompson will read from his new essay collection, The Wisdom of Rivers: Family, Friendship, and the Fly-Fishing Life (Skipstone Press, September 2026). This event is free and open to the public.

About Wisdom of Rivers: Family, Friendship, and the Fly-Fishing Life:
Experienced storyteller Roger W. Thompson cast his first line when he was a child, as a way to connect with his troubled father. Time after time in the decades since, he’s returned to tying and tossing flies in order to grieve loss, build friendships, and eventually, to connect with his own children. From sepia-toned memories in the Eastern Sierra Nevada to humorous misadventures along New England streams, Thompson invites readers to discover the many ways that life unfolds on the water.

While the stories all capture the thrill and artistry of fly fishing, the heart of The Wisdom of Rivers lies in the relationships with friends, family, colleagues, and community that Thompson navigates along the way, and the ways in which fly fishing helps his search for authentic connections and spiritual insights. He writes like an old friend standing alongside you knee-deep in the water, noticing the glittering nuggets hidden in wild places.

Author Biography:
Roger W. Thompson is an entrepreneur, writer, producer, and fly-fishing ambassador. With a career spanning business, entertainment, and adventure, along with co-founding the iconic Skate Street Skate Park, he’s consulted on international projects, co-produced surf and skate documentaries, and helped design faith-based and mission-focused programs. Thompson has written a critically-acclaimed memoir, spiritual travelogues, and collaborative biographies, earning the nicknames "River Bishop" and "The Sage of the West." He lives in Ventura, California, with his family, surfboards, fly rods, and herding dogs.

Roger W. Thompson