Hollywood treatment for the first catch

Henry Winkler with his first wild brown trout.

They call him the nicest man in Hollywood and from my day spent with Henry Winkler believe me it is not just Hollywood but anywhere.

It all started near the end of the trout season with a phone call from his agent asking me if I could take Henry fly fishing for a day on the River Calder. As I explained to his agent I have not often fished the Calder and I suggested a day spent on the Wharfe, a river I know well at Bolton Abbey, which would be a great experience for him.

Having made the preliminary booking I sauntered back into the living room to be questioned by my wife as to who was on the phone. Henry Winkler? The Fonz? You are taking him fishing? I have never heard such a commotion, and then the reaction set in. With all due respect to my other clients, taking Henry Winkler fishing has to be the high point of my career – a very high profile gentleman and well loved by so many people.

Meeting Henry at Bolton Abbey was a nervous time for me but he soon put me at ease with his smile and good nature. Kitting him up in the only pair of chest waders I had that would fit him we laughed that he looked like one of the Telly Tubbies but he was adamant that it suited him well. Selecting a rod, line and reel that he thought was right for him we set off for a day I shall never forget. Discussing tactics on the way to the river gave me an idea of the flies, wet or dry, that he would like to use and was most likely to catch on.

The previous Sunday I had been on the river with a group of fly fishing guides and had been shown “one that was the best pattern in the whole of the North” according to the tier. Now we fishermen have boxes and boxes of killer patterns but this one stuck in my mind. Basically, it is a standard gold ribbed hares ear but with a twinkle in the tail. Perfect for deep pools that we were to encounter. I renamed it “Winkler’s Twinkle” there and then.

Down to the river, on went the fly, second cast brought the reaction I had been praying for – after all it was Sunday – Henry Winkler’s first Yorkshire Dales wild brown trout. Aaaaaaayyyyy. Safely in the landing net and the fly removed I advised Henry that it was tradition that one should kiss one’s first Wharfe wild brown trout for good luck. Not to be outdone Henry gave that fish a full kiss smack on its mouth. I am sure that fish smiled.

Now Henry’s agent had advised me the week before that this should be a private visit and to keep it secret. We did not want publicity and to have the riverbank full of folk trying to get his autograph However, on the day Henry’s love of dogs did prove a stumbling block. As we moved from pool to pool along the riverbank we had to mingle with those taking full advantage of a beautiful afternoon and Henry had to say hello to every single dog that we passed. Obviously this produced many smiles and much excitement amongst the owners. After all it’s not every day you meet The Fonz on a day out. As the day progressed Henry smiled and smiled. “Wow, look at that” pointing to the abbey. “Wow, look at those hills” pointing around, “so lovely” at every fish he caught (five in all).

“What time is it Steve?” “Three o’clock Henry,” I replied. “Right, time for a cigar” and one was produced and savoured sitting down on the banks of the Wharfe with Bolton Abbey in front of us. “Perfect,” and a smile.