In late May, while kayaking on Stevens Pond in Liberty, I met two kayakers who highly recommended a similar trip on nearby Trues Pond, also in Liberty. I was only vaguely aware of Trues Pond and had never considered it a paddling destination. Always on the lookout for a new paddling opportunity, their glowing report piqued my interest.

A little research found the twisting, approximately 2-mile-long pond with numerous coves and indentations is the third significant body of water in the upper St. George River watershed. The actual headwater is Lake St. George, which flows into Stevens Pond and subsequently into Trues Pond. Dams control the flow at outlets of all three. From Trues Pond, the St. George travels generally south to the ocean near Port Clyde.

Two landings provide access to the pond. A northern option is situated on Trues Pond Road in Liberty, and a southern location is next to the outlet dam on Choate Road in South Montville.

After a solo trial run, I recommended a Trues Pond trip to my wife, Nancy. She immediately agreed, and we invited some of the usual suspects. Two longtime friends, Bruce Weik and Karin Eberhardt, accepted our invitation; an added benefit, they were Trues Pond veterans.

Despite a seemingly endless stretch of bad weather, we were able to select a sunny, warm, mid-June day for our excursion. Since light winds out of the south were forecast, we decided to launch from the northern landing to take advantage of a tailwind on our return.

We departed south from a dirt landing immediately below the Trues Pond Road Bridge that separates the main body of the pond from a boggy upper sector. Bruce and Karin paddled a tandem canoe and Nancy and I navigated flatwater kayaks.

Initially, we paddled through narrow passages in tall swamp grass near the vicinity where the stream from Stevens Pond enters. After traveling through a shallow area festooned with lily pads and yellow water lilies, we emerged into open water.

We passed to the right of a prominent island and progressed into a light headwind to the western shore. After entering a fairly substantial opening that appeared to be where the pond made an abrupt right turn, we found it to be a cul-de-sac and backtracked.

Shortly after, a constricted entrance on the right led us through a lengthy, attenuated S-turn and into more open water. As we finished the traverse, we could hear fiddle music coming from the left bank. Directly in front of the complex, a young woman was dancing on a paddle board.

Curious about the unexpected encounter, we navigated closer to the dancing paddle boarder to investigate. While entertaining fiddle music was playing in the background, she happily informed us that we’d stumbled onto the Maine Fiddle Camp, and they were celebrating the first weekend of a summer of music.

The music played on as we passed by the collection of cabins and large tents that constituted the camp and entered a narrowing channel. Proceeding southerly, we approached the dam at the southern landing. Paddlers need to be cautious in this area as there are no warning signs or protective barriers. Getting accidentally swept over the dam is a risk.

There is a steep bank next to the dam where boats can launch or land. Climbing the embankment to take a break was unappealing, so we began the trip back.

We hoped for more musical entertainment on our return. Alas, the fiddlers and the dancing paddle boarder were taking a break.

Once back at the landing, we decided to explore the upper sector of the pond. It was a wise decision. After ducking under the low-hanging Trues Pond Road Bridge, we entered a fascinating marshy area. Narrow channels weaved through swamp grass where the water surface was decorated with lily pads and yellow pond lilies. We pressed on until a fallen tree prevented further exploration.

After returning to the landing, we reflected on our exceptional paddling experience. The excursion covered about 5 scenic miles and included an entertaining musical performance. A great day!

My book, “Maine Al Fresco: The Fifty Finest Outdoor Adventures in Maine,” narrates paddling trips on several of Maine’s most picturesque lakes and ponds.

Ron Chase resides in Topsham. His latest book, “Maine Al Fresco: The Fifty Finest Outdoor Adventures in Maine” is available at northcountrypress.com/maine-al-fresco or in bookstores and through online retailers. His previous books are “The Great Mars Hill Bank Robbery” and “Mountains for Mortals — New England.” Visit his website at ronchaseoutdoors.com or he can be reached at ronchaseoutdoors@comcast.net.