John K. Flores: September changes season, changes mood

Whenever September first rolls around each year, it seems I always wake with that 1978 Earth Wind and Fire, classic song “September,” in my head playing over and over again.
My whole attitude changes. I know that we made it through the dog days of summer and you can take to the bank the first cool fronts of the year will be passing through. What’s more, and I’ve said it before, everything is flying, swimming, and moving in the wild.
I fish mainly west of the Atchafalaya River and below the Intracoastal, mainly because I spent much of my 20s and 30s learning it. And as both a freshwater and saltwater angler, there is no better place to enjoy these pursuits than the marshes of St. Mary Parish.
It’s also the month waterfowl start making their way south. One of the earliest ducks to reach the Louisiana coastline is the blue winged teal and, as such, Louisiana waterfowl hunters get to enjoy a special 9-day season that begins Sept. 19 and runs through Sept. 27. The daily bag limit is six, with a possession limit of 18.
One of the things waterfowl hunters enjoy doing in September is what’s known as a “blast and cast.” Teal fly early and generally, by 9 a.m., the shooting is over, but there’s still plenty of time to get a fishing line wet.
In years past I’ve shot teal and caught a limit of bass in the marsh all before noon. And that’s just one combination. I’ve also caught alligators in the morning and fished bream in the marsh in the afternoon.
I also like fishing redfish in the marsh during the month of September. I love how East Cote Blanche Bay is slick calm on a cool 65 degree morning and there is a wispy smoke coming off the water. The run across the bay feels chilly and you’re glad you wore a long sleeve fishing shirt.
As you troll the shallows along the shoreline where the redfish are feeding, you toss a popping cork with a shrimp (dead or alive) attached. Suddenly, the water erupts and the line begins to zing from your reel. Everything you do is purposeful.
After the fish makes a few runs, you keep your rod’s tip up while it decides to give up or not. With the fish deciding what it wants to do, you reach for the net.
September is also the month when deer in the marsh start moving and it’s not uncommon to see rubs along canal banks when you’re doing some scouting for signs.
The first rut typically peaks around the third week of October along the coast; therefore, September is the month to start getting things ready.
Getting ready might include moving the camp down to the marsh. It always includes cutting roads through the vegetation to your deer stands that has grown up during the spring and long, hot summer.
One of the hazards to prepping deer stands in September is being stung by wasps and yellow jackets that have, like vagrants, made themselves at home. What I’ve learned is you’ll only get stung once when doing this chore, because the next time you’ll come armed with a can of spray. What’s more, the good news is, by October, when the deer season opens, the wasps have become less active and more docile.
Besides the waterfowl migration, there is also the songbird migration taking place in September. Some of these birds will reach our coastline, feed for a few days, and when the winds change, take flight across the Gulf to Mexico, and Central and South America. Others will call our coastline home until spring and can be a joy to see.
September is not just a month to fish and hunt, it’s also a great month to kayak and hike as well. The Friends of Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge have been posting on their social media page work being done on the refuge hiking trails. In years past, I’ve hiked the Palmetto Trail. It’s a beautiful walk and always enjoyable. Plus, you never know what you’ll see.
Finally, dove season opens Saturday. Be sure to check the department’s website for rules and regulations, but additionally where you can participate in public hunts through LDWF funded private land agreements.
September is full of opportunities to participate in outdoor activities.
If you’re anything like me, when September rolls around there’s a classic rock song in your heart to go with it.
John Flores is the Morgan City Review’s outdoor writer. He can be contacted at gowiththeflo@cox.net.