In this "modern tribute to an ageless pastime," David Coggins celebrates, reflects on, nerds out about, agonizes over, and fiercely defends the tradition of fly fishing. From the publisher: "Written in witty, 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."
