I've Never Met an Idiot on the River: Reflections on Family, Fishing, and Photography

A novel volume to live by, or at least learn something about dry flies and woolly buggers, I've Never Meet an Idiot on the River is Henry Winkler’s collection of every-day wisdom learned from fatherhood, family, and fly-fishing. A veteran of showbiz and television legend, Winkler’s paramount pastime has always been fishing. It takes him to the outdoors, returning him to nature where he can be away from the busy-ness of everyday life—A “washing machine for your brain,” as Winkler calls it. Standing in the river is a different way of being that allows intuition to rule and important life lessons to make themselves apparent.

Spending time with family on these trips has taught him to be a better father, husband, and gain more out of everyday life. Being in nature has reminded him of how to really see the world, as well as how to understand the importance and value of simplicity. Courting fish with flies has made him more self-reliant, patient . . . and funnier. Through wading in the waters and casting his line some might say Henry Winkler has grown a bit wiser, while others might say: “you’ll never meet an idiot on the river.”