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The Believer: A Year in the Fly Fishing Life
The author of the instant fishing classic The Optimist wades into deeper waters and shares new wisdom, humor, and experience in seven extraordinary fly-fishing expeditions that mark one year in his journey through the middle part of life when worldly demands increase even as fishing continues to beckon—and must be pursued.
In David Coggins’s previous book, The Optimist , he tackles the techniques of fly fishing and meditates on its virtues, recounting his triumphs and frustrations. Now, in The Believer , he deftly mixes travel, local cultures, further fishing challenges (some knee-buckling in their disappointment), and details his own experience as life and love crowd his time to fish. Self-consciously—and self-deprecatingly—Coggins embarks on seven far-flung fishing voyages, away from screens and social media, not answering his phone, reveling in humanity’s undying yearning for a quest, for the rituals and rites of passage that mark transition. For David, these journeys not only showcase his skill as an angler—including to Norway, Scotland, Spain, Cuba, and Argentina, as well as road trips to Wyoming, Tennessee, and the Catskills—they also signal the end of his fly-fishing youth. But that doesn’t mean that David will sell all his rods and hang up his hat; rather, that his relationship with his fly-fishing obsession will evolve. And he’s okay with that— mostly , especially if he can catch an elusive salmon or a ferociously strong tarpon or the mysterious and almost invisible bonefish.
The Believer is a humble, humorous call for the journey that is part of the destination, where the search for greater self-awareness leads to patience, observation, and endurance. And, since this is fly fishing, after all—there’s always the possibility of abject failure and leaping, glorious reward.
Wry, entertaining, thoughtful, and relatable, The Believer will hook both anglers and non-anglers alike.
In David Coggins’s previous book, The Optimist , he tackles the techniques of fly fishing and meditates on its virtues, recounting his triumphs and frustrations. Now, in The Believer , he deftly mixes travel, local cultures, further fishing challenges (some knee-buckling in their disappointment), and details his own experience as life and love crowd his time to fish. Self-consciously—and self-deprecatingly—Coggins embarks on seven far-flung fishing voyages, away from screens and social media, not answering his phone, reveling in humanity’s undying yearning for a quest, for the rituals and rites of passage that mark transition. For David, these journeys not only showcase his skill as an angler—including to Norway, Scotland, Spain, Cuba, and Argentina, as well as road trips to Wyoming, Tennessee, and the Catskills—they also signal the end of his fly-fishing youth. But that doesn’t mean that David will sell all his rods and hang up his hat; rather, that his relationship with his fly-fishing obsession will evolve. And he’s okay with that— mostly , especially if he can catch an elusive salmon or a ferociously strong tarpon or the mysterious and almost invisible bonefish.
The Believer is a humble, humorous call for the journey that is part of the destination, where the search for greater self-awareness leads to patience, observation, and endurance. And, since this is fly fishing, after all—there’s always the possibility of abject failure and leaping, glorious reward.
Wry, entertaining, thoughtful, and relatable, The Believer will hook both anglers and non-anglers alike.
- GenresNonfictionNatureOutdoors
224 pages, Hardcover
Published April 9, 2024
66 people are currently reading
1848 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 24, 2024
Coggins writes with humor and much class in The Believer and makes the wannabe fisherman in me excited to give fly fishing a try. His self reflection is thought provoking and relatable. Well done Mr. Coggins
July 17, 2024
I read this because I was at Will’s apartment with no book lol. I was annoyed from the beginning at the introduction of his girlfriend as his beloved who didn’t or couldn’t understand his obsession with fishing. Throughout the book he alluded to his avoidance of “domestic” responsibilities, and his disdain for his male friends being “recalled” from extended international fishing trips for “domestic duties” such as their kids. Noticed his self protection even in his word choice, “___,” I said brightly. “____,” John responded flatly.
I love outdoor trips and have also done them for months, but it seemed like he thought he was exceptional in his desire to unplug for months, but really he just has the exceptional privilege of avoidance.
In the end, he reflects on what he calls wisdom, but it felt more externally observant - differences in fish behaviors, etc — than wise. He says it perfectly himself, “We’re not here to dwell on these matters, we’re here to fish.” I would love to interview his girlfriend!!!!!
I love outdoor trips and have also done them for months, but it seemed like he thought he was exceptional in his desire to unplug for months, but really he just has the exceptional privilege of avoidance.
In the end, he reflects on what he calls wisdom, but it felt more externally observant - differences in fish behaviors, etc — than wise. He says it perfectly himself, “We’re not here to dwell on these matters, we’re here to fish.” I would love to interview his girlfriend!!!!!
April 12, 2024
I don’t fly fish. I never fished in my life, and the most outdoorsy thing I do these days is take my kids to the playground. But, I loved this book.
Sure, Coggins discusses fly fishing. However, in every locale, he makes you feel like you are hanging out with the guides with him, at the bar with him, or just standing around in waders. He’s humble, self-deprecating, and funny. I laughed a lot while reading this book (and learned about flys, nymphs, streamers, and permit fish).
One of the book’s blurbs from Thomas McGuane, author of The Longest Silence, says Coggins could write about cottage cheese and make it sound riveting. McGuane is right. In one word, this book is delightful.
Thanks so much to Scribner for the free copy of this wonderful little book.
Sure, Coggins discusses fly fishing. However, in every locale, he makes you feel like you are hanging out with the guides with him, at the bar with him, or just standing around in waders. He’s humble, self-deprecating, and funny. I laughed a lot while reading this book (and learned about flys, nymphs, streamers, and permit fish).
One of the book’s blurbs from Thomas McGuane, author of The Longest Silence, says Coggins could write about cottage cheese and make it sound riveting. McGuane is right. In one word, this book is delightful.
Thanks so much to Scribner for the free copy of this wonderful little book.
April 19, 2024
Coggins' descriptive storytelling writing always takes my mind straight to the scene with visions of tranquil waters and elusive trout. Each story within The Believer transports readers to the mind of a fly fisherman, where casting lines is an art form and the pursuit of fish becomes a quest of triumph or heartbreak.. Both The Optimist and The Believer have inspired countless bucket list adventures of my own. If you’re a fly fisherman, or even just someone who enjoys descriptive international travel writing, then I’d highly suggest this book.
March 15, 2025
Good, getting me excited to fish but not as good as his first book on the topic. Hard to connect as well with his thoughts of his fishing journeys to far away places, of which I’ve had one. But I like his writing style, simple and concise.
July 1, 2025
A fun read on a dedicated fly fisher’s excursions to fishing other countries. Full of successes and failures. And he captures the intricacies of the obsession- his feelings compared to those who don’t fish, his desperation when losing a big one, how the country he visits is beautiful but it’s the fishing that was even more glorious. I liked that it wasn’t just a fish on trout. And I read it while actively on a fly fishing trip in another country.
January 4, 2026
“I’d like to be mellow. But do I really want to care less?”
Coggins eloquently captures the essence of why I love fly fishing: the trepidation, the reverence, and the cyclothymic, sedentous nature of the sport as a whole.
“Rivers move through their own time, as they always have. We simply pass through the greater story.”
Coggins eloquently captures the essence of why I love fly fishing: the trepidation, the reverence, and the cyclothymic, sedentous nature of the sport as a whole.
“Rivers move through their own time, as they always have. We simply pass through the greater story.”
December 31, 2025
Wasn’t expecting to enjoy a book about fly fishing this much, but here we are
April 17, 2024
Reading David Coggins' mental mind games pre-fishing trip, while fishing, while catching, and then post trip felt like reading my own exact thoughts. I have extremely little fly fishing experience and my bass fishing is primarily done in one state. Despite that, this book about fly fishing globally felt extremely relatable. The balance of pursuing fish, catching fish, and losing fish is honest, humble, believable, and humorous. The bigger picture of how we manage time and what we enjoy in life + the elements of travel/food/culture/relationships mixed in with the fishing made this a great book!
July 27, 2024
Waist deep in muddied waters, miles away from cell phone reception in smelly waders, you might come to a similarly arrived at thoughts of David Coggins. The mildly troublesome idea that “getting older turns out to be a surprise, which is mildly embarrassing” (p.2). We glimpse an underlying conflict in his worldly travels. The pisacatorial arts of angling and flying fishing may be the last holdouts of youthful exuberance. The final impediment to the untrammeled bridge of domestic stability. In gleeful defiance, Coggins lays out his inner truth, “fishing is secretly the primary focus (p.3).
In his world travels throughout a year, Coggins documents his adventures in Belize, Spain, Cuba, Norway, and boyhood haunts in Wyoming. Preparation for dirt roads, meetups with skilled guides, and the splendid retreat from others may not feel like the pursuit of wonder, but once we get into the water Coggins finds his sense of place “Caring about something too much is ridiculous and yet we persist. Under the bright sky, my world is new (p.101). He mixes a Bill Bryson eruditeness, a Hemingway romanticism and a disciplined midwestern in his penmanship. Like so many pursuits, hobbies and life paths, the adventure will seem ridiculous to anyone on the outside. The intermittent tension of casting and nibbles, set across the weeks of time’s unwavering speed would feel like a waste to some. These are the people who would never understand the the miles of trekking to fish for pink bellied salmon, or test their skills against a ten pound tarpon, they are in a sense unbelievers.
The chapter that really took me is his adventure in Belize - his match with the mythical and mercurial permit fish. On a panga, encountering step waves, Coggins goes through a self-soothing exercise. It would be enough just to see the permit. The nerves and mind in rapturous excitement at the possibility. All the road-wariness and jet lag exhaustion is gone at this point. Coggins later frames it with “ten minutes of fighting a fish will put all previous hours into relief (p.127). To hook the permit the cast has to be perfect, the pullback (tick, tick tick) must be crablike, and even in the best conditions, they may not take or hook. This is the adventure piece that pulls you in as a reader, and had me re-reading after finishing the book. Suffice to say, it’s a glorious story, and it leaves Coggins with a new perspective. “Under the bright sky, my world is new (p.101).
There’s a lot here to remind you of why we travel, the intermittent friendships, the breakdown of ego for the rebuild of our self, the blushes of romance, the splendor of new foods, and the time alone to be with oneself. Losing himself on the adventure but always tethered back to his domestic life and home, we sense a circular vision of the adventure and fecundity of home. The stillness and passage in time deepen the sense that his story is one of a larger one. The ecological crisis and depletion of natural habitat provide a fragileness on these adventures. Whether on the bank of the Irati river or Budsjord, there is that sense of connection to the past and wanting to preserve nature’s grandeur for future generations. He states “fishing when you’ve done it enough starts to form a continuum (p.204)”
Fishing as a metaphor for life is obvious, and yet there are no threads of the metaphor to pull for ourselves. Despite all the trophies, monuments and brilliant stories of catches, we carry with us deeply unique experiences that shape us, and help us sway the world in a slightly different way. ‘The Believer” is a wonderful read, an experience to meditate on the the ephemeral nature of our hours, and the relationships and joys of giving ourselves over to the practice.
In his world travels throughout a year, Coggins documents his adventures in Belize, Spain, Cuba, Norway, and boyhood haunts in Wyoming. Preparation for dirt roads, meetups with skilled guides, and the splendid retreat from others may not feel like the pursuit of wonder, but once we get into the water Coggins finds his sense of place “Caring about something too much is ridiculous and yet we persist. Under the bright sky, my world is new (p.101). He mixes a Bill Bryson eruditeness, a Hemingway romanticism and a disciplined midwestern in his penmanship. Like so many pursuits, hobbies and life paths, the adventure will seem ridiculous to anyone on the outside. The intermittent tension of casting and nibbles, set across the weeks of time’s unwavering speed would feel like a waste to some. These are the people who would never understand the the miles of trekking to fish for pink bellied salmon, or test their skills against a ten pound tarpon, they are in a sense unbelievers.
The chapter that really took me is his adventure in Belize - his match with the mythical and mercurial permit fish. On a panga, encountering step waves, Coggins goes through a self-soothing exercise. It would be enough just to see the permit. The nerves and mind in rapturous excitement at the possibility. All the road-wariness and jet lag exhaustion is gone at this point. Coggins later frames it with “ten minutes of fighting a fish will put all previous hours into relief (p.127). To hook the permit the cast has to be perfect, the pullback (tick, tick tick) must be crablike, and even in the best conditions, they may not take or hook. This is the adventure piece that pulls you in as a reader, and had me re-reading after finishing the book. Suffice to say, it’s a glorious story, and it leaves Coggins with a new perspective. “Under the bright sky, my world is new (p.101).
There’s a lot here to remind you of why we travel, the intermittent friendships, the breakdown of ego for the rebuild of our self, the blushes of romance, the splendor of new foods, and the time alone to be with oneself. Losing himself on the adventure but always tethered back to his domestic life and home, we sense a circular vision of the adventure and fecundity of home. The stillness and passage in time deepen the sense that his story is one of a larger one. The ecological crisis and depletion of natural habitat provide a fragileness on these adventures. Whether on the bank of the Irati river or Budsjord, there is that sense of connection to the past and wanting to preserve nature’s grandeur for future generations. He states “fishing when you’ve done it enough starts to form a continuum (p.204)”
Fishing as a metaphor for life is obvious, and yet there are no threads of the metaphor to pull for ourselves. Despite all the trophies, monuments and brilliant stories of catches, we carry with us deeply unique experiences that shape us, and help us sway the world in a slightly different way. ‘The Believer” is a wonderful read, an experience to meditate on the the ephemeral nature of our hours, and the relationships and joys of giving ourselves over to the practice.
April 27, 2025
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. In “The Believer,” David Coggins chronicles a year angling in places most of us can only dream about: Argentina, Belize, Cuba, Norway, Scotland, Spain. Going abroad lets the author pursue the real objects of his affection, “trout, my real love, bonefish (second love), tarpon (developing love), and . . . Atlantic salmon (unrequited love).”
Along the way, he met an assortment of interesting people, an eccentric brotherhood bound by a love of the cast, and developed hard-won wisdom, for which “there’s no short-cut, no self-help book, no retreat, no guru, no mountaintop, no fad diet, no hack, no money-back guarantee".
Overall, David Coggins is an engaging writer with a good sense of humor who frequently turns his barbs against himself emphasizing the fact his excursions were always journeys of self-discovery, and Coggins found the space and time to ask and answer crucial questions about his life and his connections to others.
Along the way, he met an assortment of interesting people, an eccentric brotherhood bound by a love of the cast, and developed hard-won wisdom, for which “there’s no short-cut, no self-help book, no retreat, no guru, no mountaintop, no fad diet, no hack, no money-back guarantee".
Overall, David Coggins is an engaging writer with a good sense of humor who frequently turns his barbs against himself emphasizing the fact his excursions were always journeys of self-discovery, and Coggins found the space and time to ask and answer crucial questions about his life and his connections to others.
April 9, 2024
The author who is a lifelong fisherman, a lifelong fly fisherman describes his journeys that take place literally around the world and his lust to catch various types of fish. Whether it is catching trout in Aregentina, Spain or the United States, salmon in Norway and Scotland, bonefish and tarpon in Cuba or one of the most elusive fish in the ocean called a permit which must be a unicorn of the sea and yes, I had to look it up to see what it looks like. Not only does talk about what it takes to catch these, but the equipment used. The great things are he goes into detail about the country and the people in these areas along with a little history. He talks about what most fisherman understand about the heartbreak of losing a big fish or not getting a bite all day but he reenforces the idea that for some fishing is a form of religion.
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April 26, 2024If you love fly fishing, I think this is a book you would really enjoy. I have never been fly fishing and am not interested in ever going - so you may wonder why I picked this book up. My stepdad is an avid angler and has also traveled to many of these places for fishing - so I thought through reading about Coggins’s experiences, I might understand more about his travels. And while I can now ask if he used a dry fly or a nymph and know what that means - in general it was more specific and technical fly fishing data than I was really needing. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook to review!
July 2, 2025
I read this because my husband is an avid fly-fisherman and I was told that it was one of the best books to help me understand how anglers feel about the sport both on and off the water. I believe it did that. But more importantly, I found Coggins to be one of the most delightful writers I have ever encountered. While I am not rushing to read another book on this subject, I adore this author so much that I just might.
He deserves five stars and more for his voice.
He deserves five stars and more for his voice.
July 8, 2024
Another fly fishing classic
Well written as always but not quite as captivating as the optimist. Interesting personalities, well articulated versions of stories cliches of different styles of fly fishing. Even so, a worthwhile read and I look forward to more from the author. I hope he makes it to New Zealand to write about it!
Well written as always but not quite as captivating as the optimist. Interesting personalities, well articulated versions of stories cliches of different styles of fly fishing. Even so, a worthwhile read and I look forward to more from the author. I hope he makes it to New Zealand to write about it!
December 27, 2024
Another fantastic set of stories and tales from Coggins. Reading this makes me want to run to the nearest river and start fishing - it’s December in Wisconsin as I write this.
I have never read a book so quick and been so captivated to keep reading. This will get shelved to be read again when the fishing season wraps up. Now when are we getting another book!?
I have never read a book so quick and been so captivated to keep reading. This will get shelved to be read again when the fishing season wraps up. Now when are we getting another book!?
January 21, 2025
Not as good as The Optimist, this felt a little more like it was trying to be a story full of fishing wisdom instead of just being a good tale. That being said, nearer to the middle of the book it began to bear a resemblances to the previous novel. Interesting, but if you were to read both it becomes repetitive.
July 17, 2025
Loved 'The Optimist' and loved this. Romanticised fly fishing in a way that got me excited by it. 'The Believer' has stoked that fire and I can't wait to be back out on the water.
Love his writing style. Captures the wonder and art of fishing while coming across humble and honest. A lifelong lesson.
Love his writing style. Captures the wonder and art of fishing while coming across humble and honest. A lifelong lesson.
October 31, 2025
4.7 stars
As someone who is just getting into fly fishing, I have dreams of fishing in other countries. Coggins brings a lot of self-deprecation and humor and brought a lot of heart to the pursuit of fly fishing. Not sure what it was missing for me, but something felt missing. Still would recommend.
As someone who is just getting into fly fishing, I have dreams of fishing in other countries. Coggins brings a lot of self-deprecation and humor and brought a lot of heart to the pursuit of fly fishing. Not sure what it was missing for me, but something felt missing. Still would recommend.
May 23, 2024
The “fishing tales as allegory for life” thing runs a real risk of coming out overdone and hokey in the hands of a lesser writer. Fortunately that happens at exactly no point during this book. Very well done.
May 15, 2025
If y'wanna read a once-over-lightly tour of flyfishing the world written by an OCD fisher, Coggins is your man. Apparently, losing a fish is like losing a family member to this guy. He's no John Gierach.
September 7, 2025
Fellow wanderer
Enjoyed this read very much an am thankful for discovering David’s work. I downloaded his book The Optimist to read on the train between Trondheim and Oslo. Just passed the Gaula River and had a chuckle to myself thinking about the chapter on Norway.
Enjoyed this read very much an am thankful for discovering David’s work. I downloaded his book The Optimist to read on the train between Trondheim and Oslo. Just passed the Gaula River and had a chuckle to myself thinking about the chapter on Norway.
January 5, 2026
I love fishing and so does the author of this wonderful book.He not only loves fishing but he loves life.What a wonderful look at places around the world with their fabulous scenery,great restaurants and so many interesting people.Combine that with world class fishing and what more could you ask
April 22, 2024
4.5 stars. Thoroughly enjoyable with some great insights. Don’t think it will go down as a classic in fly fishing literature but it’s a great contribution and I really enjoyed it!
May 2, 2024
Like The Optimist, this book is about fly fishing but also about much more, about life and passion, said with insight and humor. A skillful writing style and an enjoyable read.
June 13, 2024
What a wonderful book. David Coggins does an incredible job weaving humor, passion, and deep thought into this powerful little book. I can’t wait to read The Optimist next.
June 23, 2024
Took my time just enjoying a chapter at a time. Enjoyed the fishing stories and the locales. Most enjoyed the moments when he would mention how his significant other responded to his trips.
June 24, 2024
I don’t know how to fly fish. I’ll probably never learn. David Coggins is a fantastic writer and I thoroughly enjoyed this. I’m recommending it to anyone I can get to listen to me.
July 4, 2024
I imagine this would be good for the fisher person but I am not that so it did not really resonate with me.
July 30, 2024
Just as good as the first one - makes me want to go to all these places
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews