Henry Winkler's long-standing reputation as one of Hollywood's nicest personalities apparently does not extend to the water, according to his wife, Stacey Winkler. In a recent interview, she shared that the "Happy Days" star becomes fiercely competitive, at times bending rules, when engaging in fly-fishing.
Stacey Winkler recounted instances where her husband's enthusiasm for fishing led to a departure from his usual demeanor. She alleged that Winkler has a tendency to "pad his numbers" regarding the size of fish he catches. When directly questioned about this during an interview with Graham Bensinger, Winkler expressed surprise, stating he "writes down in [his] book exactly" and only rounds numbers for charity. However, his wife retorted, "The biggest charity is your fish size," humorously suggesting his fish measurements are as exaggerated as other people's concerns about "other sizes."
This competitive nature, according to Stacey, can extend to his fishing technique. She described how they previously fished together, with agreed-upon territorial boundaries in their boat. However, Henry would occasionally cast his line into her section if he perceived it to be more promising for a catch. "I'm here to catch a fish," he explained, "And sometimes her water on the other side of the oar looks really fishy." His wife countered that his line would not "wind up" in her area, but rather "slap into my water."
She characterized his transformation on the water as a significant shift, stating, "He is this reasonable man who turns into a 7-year-old." Their first fly-fishing experience together reportedly led to more arguments than all their previous years of marriage combined, with Henry feeling his wife didn't "understand" his pursuit, while Stacey questioned if she should intentionally catch fewer fish to appease him.
To maintain marital harmony, the Winklers now opt for separate fishing excursions. They utilize separate boats and guides and even fish different areas of rivers. Despite these measures, Stacey finds a way to playfully irk her husband. When she catches a large fish, she sends him a photograph, which he admits makes him "irritated" as he wonders how she consistently lands impressive catches. He speculated, with a touch of humor, that "female pheromones" might attract the fish, or perhaps she "can Photoshop."
Stacey Winkler suggested that fly-fishing is one of the few areas where her typically mild-mannered husband becomes genuinely reckless, pursuing any sign of fish activity without reservation. The couple, married for nearly five decades, has found a workable approach to their shared hobby by maintaining separate fishing ventures and acknowledging that Winkler's fish tales might be just that—tales.