The Wisdom of Rivers: Family, Friendship, and the Fly-Fishing Life - Hardcover

Thompson, Roger W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1680518208 ISBN 13: 9781680518207

Publisher: Skipstone, 2026

Synopsis

A collection of fishing stories that connect us to life’s deeper waters

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.

About this title

About the Author

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Skipstone
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1680518208
• ISBN 13: 9781680518207
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192