The Fonz Pens Fly-Fishing Book

Henry Winkler—actor, producer and bestselling author of 17 children's books—is best known for his role as the Fonz on Happy Days. What many probably don't know is that he is an avid fly fisherman whose favorite spots to fish are Montana and Idaho.

Winkler's new book, I've Never Met an Idiot on the River, is a delightful collection of humorous anecdotes and heartfelt observations by Winker as he shares the joy and wisdom he's accumulated while honing his skills as a fly fisherman.

Winkler is an accomplished sportsman who meticulously records the measurements of every fish he hooks. Over the years, he learned that his annual trips to the river are not just about catching trout. More importantly, they are about adopting the proper perspective on life—or as he puts it, "The river acts like a washing machine for my brain," recharging him and reminding him that anything is possible. 

This book is about life, family, relaxation and love. Winkler shares his love of angling with his wife, Stacey, and their three children, Jed, Zoe and Max. 

Winkler will be on Philip Friedman Outdoors Radio on Thursday from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m. on AM 830.

Fish keep biting

Fishing remained excellent this week with an abundance of tasty rockfish filling anglers’ sacks. Lots of vermillion rockfish, along with a variety of other bottom grabbers, continued to be the rule for Long Beach-based boats. Many think bottom fishing is so good this year because rockfish thrive in cold water, and we have had several cold-water years in a row.

Pam Sharp from Torrance was on board the Outrider out of 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro over the weekend. They headed to San Nicolas Island, where fishing was fantastic.

"We pulled limits of ling cod—no monsters, but nice quality fish with limits of rockfish, and lots of nice sheephead and whitefish,” said Sharp.

The Freedom, also out of 22nd Street Landing, saw similar results at San Clemente Island. Anglers caught limits of rockfish and several nice lingcod.

On Wednesday morning, the 14 anglers on the Patriot out of Newport Landing caught 68 sculpin, 20 sand bass, 25 perch and four sheephead.

Redondo and Marina del Rey are also on a rockfish roll, providing anglers with plenty of rockfish and a shot at a lingcod or two.   

Holiday event raises money for children’s fishing trips

It was a joyous night as hundreds of giving folks attended the 2011 Dr. Dave Patel-Philip Friedman Outdoors Holiday Party and Toy Drive last Friday. The stars came out for this event with the Laker Girls, Rex Linn from CSI Miami and newly signed Los Angeles Dodger Adam Kennedy all in attendance.

The party also raised money to get more kids outdoors. More than 300 children will get a day's fishing in February out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach with the Philip Friedman Outdoors Youth Program. 

Also, thanks to a generous donation from Friends of Rollo, the girls from the Casa Estrella Orphanage in Rosarito Beach will be headed out on the high seas, too, for a day’s fishing on gamefisher Ensenada.

It was a great night thanks to all of the wonderful people who attended and the many behind the scenes workers who made this party one for the ages. Most of all, thanks to Dr. Gnyandev Patel for bringing so much joy to so many children during the holiday season.

Go fishing with Phil on Saturday

I will be on board the half-day boat Southern Cal out of Pierpoint Landing this Saturday at 6:30 a.m. with some of the staff of Philip Friedman Outdoors. PFO and yours truly will be there to help you catch more fish and have a great time.

Of course, we will be shooting a new Patch Fishing Video and interviewing participants for PFO Radio on AM 830. The weather looks great; the rockfish are biting; and fishing with Phil is a blast.

To be eligible for a special jackpot prize, you must book with PFO. Call 424-237-0250 or drop us an email at PhilipFriedmanOutdoors@gmail.com.

Quick bites

• Fishing 100 miles from Magdalena Bay on his private boat Monday, Captain Steve Lassley reeled in 60 striped marlin in 6 hours and hooked more than 50 of the majestic billfish, which he described as “big stripers, with four [weighing] around 200 pounds.” It was all catch-and-release and some of the best marlin fishing one may ever experience.

• Bradley Parr, 12, of San Juan Capistrano caught a fat, 31-pound halibut on Sunday after he had participated in the Dana Wharf Free Kids Fishing Clinic. Parr was not entered in the Dana Wharf Halibut Derby, but he gets bragging rights for a flatfish. Moreover, this kid is a quick study, nailing a fish that many anglers dream of.