Henry Winkler Loves Flyfishing So Much It Became A ‘Way Of Being’ For Him

Jul 14, 2023

It’s been decades since Henry Winkler rose to fame in the 1970s with his portrayal of the iconic character Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on the hit TV show “Happy Days.” While he’s since gone on to have a successful career in film and television, as well as become a bestselling author and advocate for dyslexia awareness, the icon of the big and small screen revealed he’s not throwing in the towel anytime soon.

Winkler was born on Oct. 30, 1945, in Manhattan, New York City. He grew up in a Jewish family, and his parents immigrated from Germany to the United States before he was born. As a child, Winkler struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia, which made school difficult for him. He was often made to feel dumb by his teachers and peers, which had a profound impact on his self-esteem.

Despite his struggles in school, Winkler discovered his passion for acting while attending the McBurney School in New York City. He continued to pursue acting in high school and went on to study drama at Emerson College in Boston. After college, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting.

In 1973, he landed his breakthrough role as Fonzie on “Happy Days,” a role that would make him a household name and earn him two Golden Globe nominations.

Like many celebrities, Winkler has developed a passion and liking for the great outdoors. While he’s not acting or busy writing books, Winkler spends time flyfishing, a hobby he has been fond of doing for the past few years. Keep on reading to learn more about Winkler, and his newfound hobby — fishing!

In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Winkler is a bestselling author. He has written over 30 children’s books, many of which feature characters with dyslexia, a topic that is close to his heart. Winkler was not diagnosed with dyslexia until he was in his 30s, but he has since become a prominent advocate for dyslexia awareness and education.

Winkler is also set to commit to paper much of his experiences and memories from his 50-year acting career in a memoir scheduled for release in 2024. Titled “Being Henry,” the book will delve into some of Winkler’s career highs and lows.

“I am both excited and nervous to contemplate writing a memoir, because it’s hard for me to remember what happened the day before yesterday. But here I go!” Winkler remarked in a statement. 

He also told People Magazine the process of looking back on his life and career was “so scary” as he had a million different worries throughout the writing process.

In 2011, Winkler also released “I’ve Never Met an Idiot on the River: Reflections on Family, Photography and Fly-Fishing.” In the said memoir, the actor explores his interest and love for fly fishing. 

Speaking to Inside Hook, Winkler confessed that he didn’t think back then when he was young that he would be loving the river. As it turned out, fly fishing became more than an activity, it also became a “way of being.” 

“That is one of the things I learned and then applied to my life,” he reflected. “You cannot force the situation.”

As early as 2019, Winkler has been posting photos of himself on his fishing escapades. The actor’s Twitter account was full of photos of him smiling from ear to ear while holding his captured fish. 

“I can’t even express the beauty everywhere on our planet,” he said alongside a photo taken in May 2021. 

In the same Inside Hook interview, Winkler admitted he “respects the fish so deeply” that he couldn’t stomach eating it, specifically trout. 

“I absolutely don’t order trout in a restaurant, and I have never taken one out of the river,” he added. “They are beautiful, and I think they are majestic, and they are there next year when I want to go again and spend time with old friends.”

In one of his “thrilling” escapades in Wyoming, Winkler caught the biggest trout he had ever seen in his life — a 12-pound and 26 inches long trout. 

There is no denying that Winkler is “so happy” fly fishing. In fact, he even joked with Conan O’Brien that he signs a laminated photo of himself, puts it in the fish's mouth and throws it back in the water. On June 30, 2023, he also went fishing with host Jimmy Kimmel and posed for photos with him and their fish of the day.  

“Fishing – you cannot worry about else in your life. It’s just you and the fish. Oh, I love it so much. And you're in a gorgeous place, the sound of the water going by. It is the most pleasing sound to mankind. I love it,” he gushed to O’Brien. 

Are you a fan of Henry Winkler? Isn’t it amazing to see him very happy with his fish? Would you ever try fly fishing? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other loved ones!