The small gold spinner plops into the water. As it swings across the current, there is a sharp thump -- and the battle is on. Another trout season is underway.

Can life get any better?

Pennsylvania has one of the finest trout management programs in the country. There are opportunities to suit every angler. From heavily stocked roadside streams to remote wild trout streams, we can do it all.

BROKENSTRAW CREEK
One of the most popular streams in the Northwest Region, Brokenstraw Creek flows eastward from western Warren County into the Allegheny River at the Buckaloons Recreation Area. Access is along state Route 426 between Corry and Garland, along state Route 27 from Garland to Pittsfield, and then along U.S. Route 6 to the creek's mouth.

Unfortunately, posting is increasing along this fine creek, but a lot of water is still open to fishing. Only a couple of small sections are on public land: one through State Game Lands No. 143 between Spring Creek and Garland and near the creek's mouth at the Buckaloons.

The Brokenstraw is a medium-sized creek that flows out of swamps and mostly through farm country. The gradient is moderate, but with very few slack sections. During the first several weeks of trout season, it may be a bit less frigid than other streams in this area.

OIL CREEK
A top destination for flyfishermen, Oil Creek flows through eastern Crawford County and then through Venango County, where it empties into the Allegheny River at Oil City. Aquatic insect hatches are excellent during May.

The country's petroleum industry started along its banks with construction of the Drake Well at Titusville. In the early years of the industry, the river was used to ship oil downstream by damming the river and then breaking the dams to cause a freshet, or flood. At least once, the river actually caught fire! Now it's one of the prettiest trout streams you will ever see.

The best access and the best trout fishing are in Oil Creek State Park, between Titusville and Oil City. If you go there from the Pittsburgh area, take Interstate Route 79 north, I-80 east, then state Route 8 north through Oil City to the park entrance.

A long stretch of this creek is accessible only by walking, by bike trail or by float-fishing. Some of the tributaries hold wild brook trout.

There are two Special Regulations sections on Oil Creek, both Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only sections. One is a 1-mile stretch from the two green posts near the Drake Well Museum downstream to the Oil Creek State Park hiking trail bridge; and the other is a 1.6-mile stretch from the bridge at Petroleum Center downstream to the railroad bridge at Columbia Farm.

TIONESTA CREEK
Hundreds of miles of trout streams flow through Allegheny National Forest, and excellent access makes these top destinations for anglers.

Among these many streams, perhaps most popular is Tionesta Creek and its tributaries -- the East, South and West branches. The main Tionesta forms where its branches meet at Barnes in eastern Warren County. From there, it flows to the southwest and into Tionesta Lake near the village of Tionesta.