Kathryn doesn’t fish everyman's water; she thrives on experiencing the thrill of fishing in the most remote and exotic locations around the world. In her pursuit of the top game fish and her need for adventure, she has fished in the four corners of the globe and has caught and released some of the most prized species of game fish on earth. She has been hard at work training with the worlds top Masters to further enhance her skills. Kathryn is a strong believer in conserving the fragile ecological balance of Canada’s freshwater resources and has acted as a National Director of Trout Unlimited Canada – an organization that protects and restores Canada’s cold water resource. With an aim to bring awareness to the wonders of fly fishing and the physical and emotional benefits of the sport, Kathryn has established “Whatacatch.net”, a specialized production company that has created an innovative new adventure fishing show that aired for the first time in April 2005 on the Outdoor Life Network to an audience of over 63 million North Americans. Kathryn is the designer of a stylish clothing line especially designed for women with a penchant for spending time outdoors. Kathryn is a co-founder of Casting for Recovery Canada (CFRC) www.castingforrecovery.com – a cause that utilizes fly fishing to aid breast cancer survivors.CFRC was established in 2004 and Kathryn is the president of this organization. She uses WAC to get the message out to the public about the benefits of fly fishing and healthy lifestyles. Fishing goes hand in hand with friendships and a balanced lifestyle.

FD: When did you start fly fishing? Who was your mentor? Could you tell us about your memories from those times?
KM: I grew up on the water with brothers, and my Dad would take them fishing but I wasn’t invited because I’m a girl. It made a big impression on me because I wanted to be with my Dad. They would come back from the trips with secret handshakes and stories of adventure. I loved to organize their tackle boxes and imagine that perhaps, next year, I would be invited. Not to be. The boys club still exists today in the “modern age”.
I don’t want to be a boy but I don’t understand why women and men are not equal on the water. It is not a sport of strength after all. (Unless you are talking about my ability to read water.)
I’ve noticed that women’s contribution to the sport historically, is also greatly under reported. Thank goodness for Joan Wulff. She is my hero. Graceful, lovely and a hell of a sportsman. Hard to believe that in some fishing clubs today that she would be turned away because of gender. Does this seem odd to anyone else?
I’m in Iceland fishing for a few weeks and I’m continuously greeted with this question, “are you going to be fishing as well dear?” I simply reply with a kind smile and a head nod. I don’t want people to feel badly when they hear that I’m an FFF casting instructor, guide and pro angler with a long-standing television series that is internationally distributed. I have fished for the most sought after game fish around the world. I use my voice for cold-water conservation and environmental issues. I see fish as living breathing animals and not food and I do believe “fish feel pain.”

FD: Which are your favorite fresh and saltwater species? Why?
KM: My first love is the king of all game fish, the Atlantic Salmon. More has been written about this species than any other game fish. They are not feeding fish, yet they come to a fly. I can tell the mood of the fish by the way they behave. I think it is more sporting to angle for this fish because they are not feeding. With the gear and materials we have today, the fish don’t have a chance. The guides tell us where the fish are, what flies work best and what presentation will work best at any given time of the year. I wish anglers would walk a river, fishing as they go, as years gone past. Learning about the river and their quarry as they go. Today it’s a numbers game for the most part and a lot of people don’t enjoy the experience unless they are catching fish. Wow are they missing the point. If you watch my film Stan And Me, you will see that life lessons are learned on the water in the seasons of our time.  
I’m not at all impressed when an angler boasts about how many fish they have caught or the weight of the biggest fish. After all, ”it is the fish that decides to take the fly.” Fishing for me, is about who you are going to spend the day with and the beautiful places where fish reside. I love to see a fish come to the fly but I don’t need to hook every darn fish in the pool. These days I fish more and more without a hook.

FD: Do you remember any fish in particular? Could be one that you lost.
KM: The interaction I tend to remember most, are the times that come out of adversity. I like to work hard for things in life. It is my nature I suppose. I love the one’s that get away. Even the fish need to win at times. READ ABOUT HOW I WAS SPOOLED page 73.
http://issuu.com/floridaflyfishingmagazine/docs/f3...

FD: Is there any fly-fishing technique that you prefer over the others?
KM: Fly-fishing is a sport for life. We are always learning. It is the journey that causes me to ask more questions and look for answers. The more I know, the more I need to learn. As bonefish Charlie says, “some people think they know, but they don’t know enough to know that they don’t know.” 

I will forever be a student of mother nature. I do love dry fly fishing over 40 pound Atlantic Salmon in the gin clear waters of the Gaspe, Quebec, Canada.

FD: You are a FFF certified casting instructor. How much weight do you bear to the cast in the general equation of a complete angler?KM: It is my personal opinion that a good cast does mean that the person is also a good angler. Both take time and attention to detail. A little natural ability will go a long way as well. When you are fishing, that is not the time to get the bugs out. That is your fishing time and not your practice time. It’s best to set aside time to practice before to go on your fishing trip. Most fish are caught between 20 and 60 feet away so a football field cast is nice to be able to do, but not always practical for a timely hook set. Keep your fly in the water and you will catch more fish. My FFF training has come in handy on windy days for line control and on days when the fish are off the bite and accuracy is a must. It tells people that I have a level of proficiency as well and this is important if they decide to come to me for a tune up clinic or advice. It is hard for people who have fished all theirs lives to be brave enough to learn more about the theory of fly-casting. I know…I’m still learning myself.

FD: When and how did you start What a Catch? Would you be so kind to tell us more about the project?
KM: I started my TV show www.whatacatch.net when I was in my early thirties because I felt badly about how people were handling fish. Back then catch and release was not common like it is today. I wanted to show people a better example of how to handle fish and a fresh view on what fishing is all about. I wanted us to get away from the numbers game. We still have a long way to go in this regard. What A Catch And Release!

http://issuu.com/marlinworld/docs/edition019?mode=...

FD: When you visit new waters: Do you prefer to be guided or fish on your own?
KM: I prefer to be guided for many reasons. I’m usually in a far off land and the guide has a wealth of information about not only the fishing but also the area and the culture. I feel safer as a woman in remote areas with another person (man or woman guide) with me, who locals will recognize and respect. It will also ensure that I don’t break the local fishing guidelines by fishing outside boundaries by mistake or fishing with flies that are not permitted etc. This is one way of supporting their local fishery and the towns that supply good and services to support this activity and watershed for future generations. This clip is an example of a guide from the area who loves the fish so much that he is left speechless.


FD: You have been travelling over the world fishing for several years. A) Which are your favorite fresh and saltwater spots? B) Could you tell us some of your funniest memoirs from your trips? C) Any very risky situation you’ve been into?
KM: I’m working on a book of my Miss-Adventures so perhaps you will be patient with me as I build the chapters of my detailed accounts of World record catches, far off lands, the trials and challenges of being a conservative women in the outdoors and the problems that using the washroom, changing, sleeping, bathing, dressing etc. have posed for me over the years. I’ve been robbed, poisoned, lost, frozen, loved and hated. I have visited places that I would love to go back to and others that you couldn’t pay me to re-visit. This will be a slice of my Miss-adventures.


FD: Have you ever been to Argentina? How was your experience?KM: I’ve fished in Argentina a number of times. It is one of the places that require many visits since the country is large and varied geographically with numerous fishing possibilities. Here is a look at one of my trips.

 
The people, fishing, Pisco sours, Asado’s, and vistas are burned into my memory.

FD: Which spots and species are in your bucket list?
KM: “So much water to fish and so little time!”
Many, many species remain on my bucket list. The Nile perch, the Mekong Catfish, Tiger Fish, etc. etc.

FD: Casting for Recovery is a great initiative. You are one of the Co-founders of this project. How can people help?
KM: Casting For Recovery Canada fills a need to give women who have or have had cancer the opportunity to do something that takes them away from their illness with like- minded people for a window of time. The focus is on wellness and friendships. People can support us by telling others about this opportunity to go on a girl’s getaway fishing adventure.

FD: Your recent project is Lady Angler Magazine. What is the magazines’ mission?
KM: Lady angler magazine is for lady anglers across the globe specializing in fishing, fashion, food and fun!
Our team consists of Dr. Julie Ball & Kathryn Maroun (fishing), Sharon Drenner, Cheryl Perotti (Fashion & Design), P.J. Burgess ("The Sundress Chef" Food), and Tammy Levent ("The Queen of Fun"...Travel) etc. About, by and for lady anglers across the globe specializing in fishing, food and fashion. The magazine has given me a voice and supports my work. For that I’m grateful. I don’t have control over content and I can only hope that they will discourage inappropriately dressed pictures of women anglers and keep the focus where it should be. Keep your ##$@!! to yourself. Respect the fish and yourself. http://www.whatacatch.net/blog/?p=153

FD: You have acted as the National Director of Trout Unlimited Canada. How was the experience? 
KM: I believe in cold-water conservation and I feel that nature needs our support. I’m an entrepreneur. With that spirit and “can do “ attitude, I quickly found myself frustrated with my inability to motivate others around me and mobilize them into action that would bring ideas and possibilities into reality. You have to pick your battles…http://www.whatacatch.net/blog/?p=200

FD: Are you currently involved in other projects related with environment care?
KM: I‘m a voice for the fish and environmental issues via public speaking, my long- standing TV series. I write articles for magazines, papers, blogs etc., I give regular radio, news, TV, magazine and internet interviews to help keep the issues front of mind. I support conservation efforts with my time and resources. The following areas have my full attention; the survival of the Atlantic Salmon, plastics in our oceans, water quality, over fishing, habitat degradation and over-development, global warming, the ethical treatment of animals, Tick born illnesses and co-infections and illnesses that people contract when they work and play in the outdoors, building stronger positive images and awareness of how we market women in sport, invasive species issues, and more.

FD: How could fly fishermen worldwide collaborate in protecting the environment?
KM: Education and execution are key.

FD: Do you consider important to know fly fishing history? Why?
KM: A working knowledge of history is an important tool in conservation if we are to prevent making the same mistakes over again. We need to know where we came from to work out where we need to go next.

FD: What would you recommend to the starting angler?
KM: I would recommend not taking your hobby and making it your job. This way you won’t see the darker side of the industry.

FD: What is fly-fishing for you? How do you feel when you fly fish? 
KM: I learn a lot about myself and others, by spending a day on the water.
Fly fishing helps me to live in the moment and understand that I am a part of a natural order.

FD: Your final balance?
KM: I’m grateful and blessed for my journey. As I said to Stan “See you on the water.”

We would like to thank Kathryn for sharing her insightful thoughts and amazing experiences with us.