The Optimist

In "The Optimist- A Case for the Fly Fishing Life", David Coggins makes a case for the skills and sensibility of an enduring sport and shares the secrets, frustrations, and triumphs of the great tradition of fly fishing, which has captivated anglers worldwide.

Written in witty, keenly observed prose, each chapter focuses on a specific place, fish and skill. Few individuals, for example, have the visual acuity to catch the nearly invisible bonefish of the Bahamas flats. Or the patience to land the elusive Atlantic salmon, "the fish of a thousand casts," in eastern Canada. Pursuing these challenges, Coggins, "a confirmed obsessive," travels to one fishing paradise after another, including the great rivers of Patagonia, private chalk streams in England, remote ponds in Maine, and New York City's Jamaica Bay. In each setting he chronicles his fortunes and misfortunes with honesty and humor while mediating on how fishing teaches us focus, inner stillness, and a connection to the natural world.

Perfect for the novice, the enthusiastic amateur, and the devoted angler alike, "The Optimist" offers a practical path toward enlightenment while providing a welcome escape into one of the world's ancient pastimes.

"This is a wonderful book, but, to be honest, Coggins writes so well that he could rivet our attention to anything- cottage cheese, Ted Cruz, the Detroit Lions- and we would follow every sentence with remarkable obedience"- Thomas McGuane, author of "The Longest Silence"

"The Optimist- A Case for the Fly Fishing Life"- by David Coggins- Paperback- 240 pages