
The Optimist
A Case for the Fly Fishing Life
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Narrated by:
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Stephen Graybill
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David Coggins - afterword
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By:
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David Coggins
An “excellent” (The New York Times) modern tribute to an ageless pastime, and a practical guide to the art, philosophy, and rituals of fly fishing, by an expert, lifelong angler.
In The Optimist, 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 wry, wise, and keenly observed prose, each chapter focuses on a specific place, fish, and skill. Few individuals, for example, have the visual acuity required 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 meditating on how fishing teaches 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 to enlightenment while providing “a rueful, thoughtful, and very funny examination of an elegant obsession” (Jay McInerney).
©2021 David Coggins. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.Listeners also enjoyed...




















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Got the book as a gift
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A great story in the vein of McGuane and Gierach
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Great fly fishing book
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Great listen!
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Great Read!
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Entertaining and Inspiring Take on Fly Fishing
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Among my favorites books ever
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A well-read, evocative performance
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Slow start but pulls you in
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However, it was clear the narrator is not a fisherman, as inflection and tempo of phrasing were frequently wrong, and some commonly used flyfishing words were mispronounced.
Nonetheless, I’d recommend the audiobook to anyone who enjoys the pursuit of flyfishing.
A great fly fishing read
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