Volunteer Profile – Katharine Mott

Meet Katharine Mott, a member of our board of directors.

Before Mott learned her ABC’s, her dad took her fly fishing on the rivers of northern NB and the Gaspe.  From the outset she said she felt more at home chasing salmon and trout in or on the water than anywhere else.

“That was back in the days of plenty and you cooked what you hooked,” said Mott.  “Years later, when there were fewer salmon, hook and release was encouraged.  We learned that the feeling of watching the fish swim away after the pleasure of the fight was far greater than the killing and eating.”

Mott became interested in broader conservation issues when she joined the Nova Scotia Salmon Association, ultimately serving as its President.

“Through this involvement I was invited to join the board of directors of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, serving as its vice president for 15 years.  Closer to my Nova Scotia home I later served as president of the Cobequid Salmon Association.  Through these associations (and fishing in as many rivers as I could) I learned much about the plight of the Atlantic salmon in all five provinces.  As well, I met many of those with similar interests who were working to help the salmon survive.”

Jointly with a friend in Newfoundland, Mott constructed a fly fishing lodge in Labrador, the Rifflin’ Hitch.

“I remained involved in its operation for a short time but recognized that I would rather be the one on the water instead of the one in the kitchen!  The experience, however, introduced me to a wider group of fishermen from faraway places, many of whom were in a position to help the Atlantic salmon in various ways.”

“From these experiences it was a natural evolution to become involved with the ASCF.  I was invited to serve first on the Central Advisory Committee, then on the board.  To be in a position to help community groups in their efforts to help the salmon is almost as gratifying as releasing a wild fish to continue its journey homeward.  It’s easy sometimes to think that nobody else has problems as great as those facing “our” river.   ASCF involvement helps us learn more about the similarities facing fish in various waterways, and some of the unique differences.  It also helps us to learn ways to mitigate problems, and to network with those who can help.  For me, I’m hooked on ASCF!”