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Henry Winkler

I've Never Met an Idiot on the River: Reflections on Family, Fishing, and Photography Hardcover – May 31, 2011

by Henry Winkler (Author)

4.6 249 ratings

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In this delightful collection of humorous anecdotes and heartfelt observations, Henry Winkler shares the joy and wisdom he’s accumulated while honing his skills as a fly fisherman. A accomplished sportsman who meticulously records the measurements of every fish he hooks, Winkler has learned that his yearly trips to the river are not just about catching trout. More importantly, they’re about adopting the proper perspective on life. Or, as Winkler puts it, when he’s fly fishing, the river acts like a washing machine for my brain,” recharging him and reminding him that anything is possible. Winkler makes a habit of sharing his angling adventures with his wife, Stacey, and their three children, Jed, Zoe, and Max. The Winklers’ annual trip, where they can escape the busyness of everyday life, has brought them together as a family. On the river, Henry has grown to appreciate the support his wife and children give him, learned to listen, and developed the confidence to publish his outdoor photography in his first non-fiction book.

An expression of the inherent optimism that stems from the simplicity of the outdoors, I’ve Never Met an Idiot on the River is an invitation to share in the realizations and achievements Winkler

Print length

144 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Insight Editions
Publication date

May 31, 2011
Dimensions

7 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

1608870200
ISBN-13

978-1608870202
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Editorial Reviews

Review

PRAISE FOR I've Never Met an Idiot on the River

The most entertaining and introspective fly-fishing memoir I have ever read.”

- David Ondaatje, filmmaker and owner, R.L. Winston Rod Company

Henry Winkler has become a true fly-fisherman and anyone who reads his eloquent words will gain an appreciation of why this sport is so pure and perfect. His stories and thoughts remind me why I love fly-fishing so much.”

- John Barrett, host, Fly Fishing the World

Henry Winkler and I share a love of the outdoors and fishing. This is a great book that captures the impact the sport can have on our lives. All outdoorsmen should read it and experience Winkler's passion for the fishing experience.”

- T. Boone Pickens, legendary energy executive

Winkler’s message is positive and upbeat, making the book as much a motivational title as a fishing memoir. The important lesson he learned from his achievements is that with patience, persistence, and practice you can accomplish anything. Well done, Henry. This breezy, charming volume is for fans of celebrity memoirs and self-help.”

Mike Rogers, Library Journal

Winkler’s warmhearted spirit anchors the simple collection of Montana and Idaho river photos, reminiscences, and asides, resulting in a fantastic Father’s Day gift for any patriarch who owns a pair of knee-high rubber boots.”

Richard Horgan, MediaBistro

There is something for everybody in this book . . . The book is a touching story about overcoming personal problems to reach one’s goals.”

Kevin Brown, The San Francisco Book Review

About the Author

Henry Winkler is an actor, producer, director, and author. He is probably best known for his role as the Fonz in the 1970s U.S. television sitcom Happy Days. His fishing exploits have been featured on Fly Fishing the World and he regularly recounts them during his speaking engagements around the country. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Stacey, their three children, and two dogs.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Insight Editions; First Edition (May 31, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1608870200
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1608870202
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.35 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #463,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #71 in Photography Criticism & Essays (Books)
- #188 in Sports Essays (Books)
- #394 in Parenting & Families Humor

Customer Reviews:
4.6 249 ratings

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Henry Winkler

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Henry Winkler is an actor, producer and director. He is probably most famous for his role as the Fonz in the 1970s US television sitcom, Happy Days. But if you ask him what he is most proud of, he would say, "Writing the Hank Zipzer books with my partner, Lin Oliver." He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Stacey, their three children and two dogs.

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4.6 out of 5

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john

very enjoyable read

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2023

Verified Purchase

I have enjoyed fishing since I was a child but only recently started to experiment with fly fishing. So far my only fly fishing experiences have been on a local lake. Henry Winkler describes the reasons why I fish. I’m sure most avid fishermen, regardless of the method agree with him in this book.

Helpful

D. Quitt

Henry Winkler is a great guy

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is the first book review I have ever written. I wanted to say something about the book, "I Never Met an Idiot on the River" because, it seems, I love Montana and fishing with the same passion that Henry does. It is evident that Henry is a great guy. I have to admit, my heart swelled a few times while reading his words.

I was born in Western Montana. I grew up there. My entire family is from there and they have been since before the turn of the century. My Grandfathers built the roads and hauled the logs. My Grandmothers butchered the elk, and cleaned the dishes in the creeks. We had outhouses. Fly fishing or catching fish meant more than a glorious fight, or bonding with a fishing guide. It was survival. Catching a fish for my Father meant that he was feeding us. There were no waders, fancy tackle, boats, or cameras. There wasn't even a fly rod. There were two spare tires, guns, knives, chainsaws, axes, buckets, gas cans, coolers, peanut butter and huckleberry jelly sandwiches, skeeter spray, toilet paper, and some old beat up fishing equipment under the seat of an even more beat up Chevy truck.

Somehow, my Dad caught enough fish to feed us fish two or three times a week until I could not eat fish any longer. I did not eat fish again until I was 25 years old. I was literally force fed trout and salmon. Along with enough vegetables to last the winter, we canned fish and froze it.

I grew up, I left Montana. I lived in London, Hawaii, other parts of the United States. Just like Henry, my soul lives in Montana. I dream about it every day. I bought a cabin there by the river where my Dad caught our fish. In June, I caught a 20 inch Rainbow Trout right below my cabin. My Dad was there with me and he was my fishing guide. The hospital is 125 miles away from my cabin. You have to watch every step you take and think about everything you do before you do it. It's amazing how close your family becomes when they depend on you for protection and forethought. There is no ambulance or guide.

It seems to me that Henry loves catching fish, photography, and Montana, but he sees it through the eyes of a guide that he pays a lot of money to. I looked up the place where Henry stays and if you want to take your family there, you better take out a second mortgage on your house. We are talking 6K a week per person to start. If you want your entire family to go on a guided fishing trip like Henry, well you cannot. I think that using a guide once or twice might be good, just to get the hang of things but at some point, you have to let go of his hand. Really go fishing on your own in Montana where you have to think of everything for yourself. Where you have to pack your own lunch.

Henry, I know you won't read this but you are only experiencing a fraction of the "magical zen" you could experience if you would just do it on your own. Let go of the lodge, the onsite chef, the luxury cabins, the Orvis, the L.L. Bean, and ditch the guide. Take your family to a cabin in the woods for a few weeks each year. Leave all the electronic crap behind. You need to submerse yourself in it man. A major part of experiencing Montana is being in a position where you have to think ahead about everything. Sometimes when I go fishing there, I don't see another soul all day. I could go days without seeing a person. When you come back from a day of fishing and you can actually return without indecent or injury, it's a glorious day. Catching fish in Montana is even more fun when you also face the challenges of the wilderness. Take your family deep in to the woods and let them experience what it's like to go somewhere where you won't be found. Then catch fish. You want your son to enjoy fishing? Don't buy groceries. If he wants to eat, he's going to have to catch some fish. I am pretty sure that on about day 2 he's going to take a little more interest in it. My family becomes much closer when we have to fend for ourselves.

I am a little disappointed with the shameless promotion of a commercial, over priced, tourist attraction. I don't like it because I know that there is so much more than that. I enjoyed Henry Winkler's positive outlook on life. I love his passion for fishing. I am going to put the book on the shelf in my cabin for someone else to read. I know more about Henry now. I watched every Happy Days and he writes about those times in the book. I think Henry needs to really experience Montana and write another book. He just scratched the surface.

Good book with so much more potential.

3 people found this helpful

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Layne Xmas

Loved this book.

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2012

Verified Purchase

I am one of those people who scoffed at "Happy Days" and Henry Winkler's character, Fonzie. I mean, I was so tragically hip that the whole show was intellectually beneath me and I avoided it and references to it like the plague. Later, as my daughters watched re-runs of it on cable, I forced myself to watch it with them and found that Winkler's Fonzie was more than just a guy in a cool jacket. It was still schmaltzy as all get out but it grew on me, especially since my girls thought it was hilarious. Okay, I've been wrong before. I'm still right about Tom Cruise, though.

Winkler began to emerge from the all-encompassing shadow of that character, I began to get glimpses of what a fine actor and person Winkler really was and is. Thoughtful, kind and generous doesn't always impress; certainly mainstream media was not paying attention but I was. I've read his childrens books to my own kids. This guy is deep.

Now comes "I've Never Met an Idiot on the River..." and on a lark I purchased it. When it arrived, a slim book with some wonderful personal photos, I set it aside, putting it in the stack of "books I must read before the end of the world". A couple of weeks later the world seemed on the verge and I figured I'd better start this book soon.

I picked it up and thumbed through it, glancing at the photos and reading the captions and began to warm up to it. Winkler's expression on the cover photo probably had something to do with it, especially since we share a love for fishing.

Winkler reeled me in (sorry) with his honesty, allowing me a peek into his life, his family and his inner demons. His writing style is conversational, which I prefer at times, and straight-forward. Winkler brought me along on his vacations. I sit in the back seat with the kids, the dog and with fishing rods poking me in the back of the head. Still it's a wonderful vacation and I find myself fighting with him over unclaimed waters, casting over his line and stealing his fish...whoa, I'm off on a tangent here.

This book is not "War and Peace" nor it is deeply incisive study of the human condition. It is not "The Fonz does Fishing" (although that would have been a funnier title, I guess) so don't think for one moment Richie and Ralph will pop up out of the riverside brush. It is, however, an all too short but very entertaining read and I think you will be pleasantly surprised at Mr. Winkler's insights.

I enjoyed it and I think most folks would enjoy it.

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

What a fun book!

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2022

Verified Purchase

I’m not interested in fishing but I’ve watched a lot of shows where they talked about the book. I finally decided to just buy it. I’m so glad I did because it’s really a great book to read, You can tell it was written by Henry Winkler because if you are familiar with his work, it felt as though I was hearing him talk. There is some beautiful photos and some where he proudly shows off his fish. There are some sections that were so funny, I laughed out loud. I really enjoyed the book. I’m so glad I purchased it.

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2011

Verified Purchase

This is a happy and a generous book.

In it the former Happy Days star talks about his life, its challenges, and his joy in living it and overcoming the challenges.

For Winkler, fishing is a source of joy, but also instruction in how life ought best to be lived, and a metaphor as to the meaning of what really is important.

What does it teach?

Confidence, intuition, patience, perseverance, focus - all qualities that were needed for the author to rise above the negative scripting of perfectionistic, almost abusive parents (their nickname for him was Dumb Dog).

It's an exploration of reaching one's potential. Winkler comes across as a man who knows himself, is grounded in this knowledge, and is living life to the fullest.

I particularly enjoyed the photography (nature photography is another of Winkler's passions) and the way in which they complement the text.

Reading this is an uplifting experience.

5 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

James H

What a gem!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2012

Verified Purchase

In late 2011 I entered in to an agreement with Henry. I needed him to place a phone vote & advertise the fact on Twitter. In return I promised to buy his book. The man of integrity he is... Henry voted. The man of integrity I am... I bought the book. To be honest, I didn't really know what I was buying but boy; am I glad I did!?

So refreshing. Funny, honest and genuinely inspiring. You really don't need to know the first thing about fishing to enjoy this true gem of a book; I don't (well... I know a little more now). This book is more about attitude and is relevant to anyone, no matter what your place in the world or where your interests lie. Oh, and it's full of some wonderful photo's too.

Thank you Henry.

Jay UK

One person found this helpful

Helen Philp

Good read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2021

Verified Purchase

Good read

JV Slingsby

Best day ever

Reviewed in Canada on November 12, 2017

Verified Purchase

Bought and got it in time for a fan expo. Had Mr. Winkler sign it. Gave it to my father as a present. Made my father cry. Best day ever!

One person found this helpful

C W

I've Never Met an Idiot on the River:...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2016

Verified Purchase

This is an absolutely marvellous book, the photographs dotted through it are beautiful and add to the overall reading experience. If you are dithering about buying this, then dither no more. Buy it now!

H. Aitchison

Fishing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2013

Verified Purchase

Nicely illustrated. Have only looked quickly through it. Bought as a gift for my partner at christmas who is a fishing fanatic. A good coffee table book.

One person found this helpful

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