Fly fishing introduces you to all kinds of fish. Some are eager, some are selective, some are mysterious, and a few make you question your decisions. After nearly fifty years on rivers, lakes, and saltwater flats, Mark Walinske realized something unexpected: the personalities of fish often mirror the personalities we encounter in early relationships.

Through humor, stories, and a playful field guide to the species along the way, The Fish I Dated explores the surprising parallels between fly fishing and meeting interesting characters before you finally understand what you’re doing. Because sometimes the river isn’t just teaching you how to fish—it’s teaching you how to meet the world.