The Salty Blonde: Life on the Water with a New Hampshire Fisherwoman

The Atlantic has a way of shaping people. On the rocky edge of New Hampshire’s brief but hardworking coastline, the ocean is less a backdrop and more a way of life. Here, the tide sets the rhythm of the day, lobster boats leave the harbor before sunrise, and the cold North Atlantic demands respect from anyone who works its waters.

That’s the world Nicole Fel Dotto—better known online as @thesaltyblonde—grew up in. Her story is one of salt air, family tradition, and the kind of deep ocean connection that starts in childhood and never lets go. Along the East Coast, where commercial fishing still supports coastal communities and cultures, women like Nicole are quietly reshaping what the modern fisher looks like.

A Life Shaped by a Small but Mighty Coastline

New Hampshire may only claim 18 miles of coastline, but those miles are busy ones. Working harbors like Hampton and Portsmouth support lobster boats, charter captains, and generations of fishermen whose livelihoods depend on the North Atlantic.

That short stretch of shore is also where Nicole learned that the ocean rewards curiosity as much as skill.

Meet Nicole Fel Dotto

Nicole Fel Dotto, otherwise known as her famous instagram handle @thesaltyblonde lives and breathes all things Fishe. Hailing from New Hampshire, Nicole makes the absolute most of the 18 miles of coastline her tiny but mighty state has to offer. Nicole’s work and play look quite similar… As her day job she fishes for lobster and crab. For recreation, she can be found fishing, surfing, SCUBA diving or just about any other activity that involves salt water. Cheers to Nicole for being the East Coast’s fishiest gal!

Growing Up with the Ocean

What is your earliest memory of fishing?
I started fishing with my dad when I was very young, he’s a marine biologist and taught me about all the fish and sea creatures here off the East Coast. He instilled my love of the ocean from day one. When I was younger, I used to care more about seeing all the cool fish than actually catching them; He'd put them in a big cooler for a minute so I could look at them while he'd tell me all about them and then we’d release them back into the ocean. To this day I still love seeing all the cool sea creatures that we sometimes find in our lobster traps. If some cool critters come up in the trap, it will take me 10x longer to get through our gear because I have to look at every sea creature.

Dreaming Bigger Waters

The North Atlantic offers a lifetime of fishing opportunities, but for many anglers there’s one place that always sits at the top of the list: Alaska.

What is your dream fishing location?
Alaska!

Alaska’s waters are home to some of the most productive wild fisheries on the planet, with healthy runs of salmon, halibut, and countless other species that sustain both ecosystems and coastal communities. Many anglers see it as the ultimate destination where wild fish, remote landscapes, and working fisheries still coexist in a meaningful way.

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The Truth About Fishermen and Ocean Stewardship

Commercial fishing often carries stereotypes that miss the deeper reality of life on the water. For the people whose livelihoods depend on the ocean, sustainability isn’t an abstract concept—it’s survival.

A stereotype about fisher people that is not true is…
“That fisher people do not care about the oceans, and every creature in them.” Fishermen get such a bad rap for their livelihood. When in reality just about every fisherperson wants to see our ecosystems flourish. If not, they'd be shooting themselves in the foot. Without thriving fisheries we wouldn't have anything for future generations or even ourselves to harvest. While there will always be people who try to cut corners and don't care about anyone or anything but themselves, there are an overwhelming number of us that do care about our oceans and the fish we harvest. It's all about knowing where your seafood comes from, and who your fisher people are!

Across U.S. fisheries, management systems are designed specifically to protect fish populations over time. Federal fisheries along the Atlantic coast operate under strict catch limits and rebuilding plans through the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary law governing marine fisheries in U.S. waters (link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/laws-policies/magnuson-stevens-act).

For people who make their living on the water, healthy oceans are not optional—they are everything.

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From the Trap to the Table

Working fisheries don’t just provide livelihoods—they also connect people directly to the food they eat. Few meals are more satisfying than seafood that goes from ocean to table in the same day.

Of the many species you fish for, what is your favorite to eat and how do you cook it?
This is a tie for me. For cooked fish, I love black sea bass blackened and cooked on the grill for fish tacos. For raw fish, one of my absolute favorites is yellow or bluefin tuna fresh off the boat for sushi or poke bowls!

Black sea bass, a favorite along the Atlantic coast, has rebounded strongly thanks to careful fishery management and now supports both recreational and commercial fisheries throughout the region (link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/black-sea-bass).

When the Catch Becomes a Meal

There’s something deeply satisfying about preparing fish you caught yourself. Fresh seafood carries the story of the place it came from, whether that’s a lobster hauled from a trap or tuna sliced moments after landing.

Meals like fish tacos, sushi, or poke bowls become more than recipes—they become reminders of the water.

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Community on the Water

Fishing can be solitary, but it can also build powerful communities—especially among women who share the same passion for the outdoors.

What is your favorite part of sharing your fishing experiences on social media?
Meeting more female anglers and getting to follow along with their rad adventures. Social media really did help me break out of my shell and fear of talking to other women. I learned that not all women want to see you fail, the real and genuine women want to raise you up and see you succeed. If I didn't start this page I'd still be terrified of befriending women after I was bullied for many years.

Across the fishing world, more women are finding connection through shared adventures on the water. Social platforms have opened doors that once felt closed, allowing anglers from different coasts, fisheries, and backgrounds to learn from each other.

A Life Built Around Saltwater

Something you may not know about me…
I’ve been working on boats for over a decade.

Other than fishing, how do you like to spend your free time?
I love scuba/freediving, surfing/boogie boarding, clam digging. Anything on the ocean really most of my days off are still spent fishing and on the water. I also love roller hockey, and in the winter pond hockey, skiing both downhill and cross country.

For people who grow up near the ocean, the line between work and recreation often disappears. The same waters that support livelihoods also fuel adventure.

The Ocean as a Way of Life

Surfing, diving, fishing, clamming—each activity reveals a different side of the ocean. The more time you spend on the water, the more you realize how connected everything is, from tide cycles to marine life to coastal communities.

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H2: Women Working on the Water

The image of a commercial fisherman has long been shaped by tradition—heavy gear, cold mornings, and a profession passed down through generations. But across coastal communities, women are increasingly visible in every part of the fishing industry, from captains and deckhands to marine scientists and fishery managers.

Along the Atlantic coast, commercial fisheries remain deeply rooted in local economies. Lobster, crab, groundfish, and shellfish fisheries support thousands of jobs and coastal communities that have depended on the ocean for generations. In New England alone, commercial fishing contributes billions annually to regional seafood economies (link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/commercial-fishing/commercial-fishing-new-england).

Women have always been part of this story—even if their work hasn’t always been visible. Today, that visibility is changing. Women are running boats, hauling gear, documenting fisheries on social media, and building communities that encourage more participation.

The result is a shift that feels both modern and deeply rooted: a fishing culture that welcomes anyone willing to put in the work, respect the ocean, and show up before sunrise.

Conclusion

The ocean leaves its mark on the people who spend their lives around it. The early mornings, the shifting tides, the cold wind across the deck—these experiences shape more than skill. They shape perspective.

Nicole Fel Dotto’s story is a reminder that fishing isn’t just about catching fish. It’s about curiosity that begins in childhood, long days working on the water, and the quiet pride that comes from knowing where your food comes from. It’s about community, resilience, and the kind of connection to the ocean that can’t be taught in a classroom.

And perhaps most of all, it’s about realizing that the ocean belongs to anyone willing to respect it, learn from it, and keep showing up.

Out there, somewhere beyond the harbor, another tide is turning.

FAQ

Q: Who is Nicole Fel Dotto?
A: Nicole Fel Dotto, known on Instagram as @thesaltyblonde, is a New Hampshire fisherwoman who works in commercial lobster and crab fisheries while sharing her ocean lifestyle online.

Q: How long is New Hampshire’s coastline?
A: New Hampshire has about 18 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, making it the shortest ocean coastline of any U.S. coastal state.

Q: What does a lobster fisherman do day-to-day?
A: Lobster fishermen set traps on the ocean floor, haul them regularly to collect lobster, rebait traps, and reset gear. The work requires long hours, physical strength, and careful navigation of tides and weather.

Q: What fish species are common along the New England coast?
A: New England waters support species like striped bass, black sea bass, cod, bluefish, tuna, and lobster, depending on the season and fishery.

Q: Why do fishermen care about ocean conservation?
A: Sustainable fisheries ensure future harvests. If fish populations decline, fishing communities lose their livelihoods, making conservation essential for long-term survival.

Q: What is black sea bass known for as seafood?
A: Black sea bass is prized for its mild flavor and firm texture, making it popular grilled, blackened, or used in tacos and seafood dishes.

Q: Why is Alaska a dream fishing destination?
A: Alaska offers massive wild fisheries, including salmon and halibut, along with remote wilderness landscapes that attract anglers from around the world.

Q: How has social media changed fishing communities?
A: Social media helps anglers connect, share techniques, and build supportive communities—especially among women who may have felt isolated in traditionally male-dominated fishing spaces.

Q: What other ocean activities do many anglers enjoy?
A: Many anglers also enjoy surfing, diving, clamming, and other ocean sports that keep them connected to coastal environments.

Q: How can beginners get started fishing in the ocean?
A: Beginners can start with local charters, public piers, or guided trips. Learning local regulations and species is essential for responsible fishing.