So, picture this…you’re standing knee-deep in a crisp, rushing Idaho river, hoping to land a nice rainbow trout. You hook one, bring it in, and as you’re about to reach for your camera, you notice something familiar. Is that… wait. Is that the Fonz?
Yep, Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli himself—leather jacket swapped for waders—is standing in the water with a fly rod. But he’s not doing the “Ayyyy!” thing. He’s doing something way more wholesome.
According to a cool little piece from the folks over at Field & Stream, Henry Winkler has become a straight-up legend in the fly fishing world. He doesn’t just fish; he has a whole following happening because of fishing. When he catches a trout, he doesn’t just toss it back. He holds it up for a quick snap, plants a gentle kiss right on its little fishy forehead, whispers a sincere “thank you,” and sends it on its way back into the current.
Honestly, that is legendary behavior.
Winkler has been hitting the rivers in Montana and Idaho for decades, and he’s been super open about why he loves it. He calls fly fishing a “washing machine for the brain.” Which, honestly, makes total sense—if you’ve ever tried to keep track of a fly line, you know it’s basically impossible to stress about your email inbox at the same time. It’s all about slowing down and being right there in the moment.
Beyond just doing it for his own peace of mind, he’s a huge advocate for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, a group that uses the sport to help out disabled veterans and active-duty military folks.
So, somewhere out there in the wild, there are trout swimming around that have been personally smooched by Hollywood royalty. Whether you’re a fan of Happy Days or just a fan of catching fish, you’ve gotta respect the man’s game. He’s found his zen, he’s doing good work, and he’s out there keeping it cool one kiss at a time. Ayyyy.
Feature photo via Field and Stream