Tim Arienti

September has come to a close and things arent turning out as I thought they would.   For the past 5 or so years, September and early October are great fishing times.  Millions of baitfish invade our waters, with the stripers and blues in hot pursuit.  These predators are usually fattening up for the winter.  In the Saco river area this year, this just hasn't happened.  Most of our tagged fish left the system in early to mid September.  At first I was hoping they would return, but Im beginning to believe they have left for good.  Probably to an area with more bait so they can fill their energy reserves before winter.  We still have a few fish around so we will keep our "ears" open hoping to hear a few more of our fish before the end of the season.  There are also schools of fish passing through the area once in a while so maybe we will detect a few new fish before they are all gone.