Although such things tend to be forgotten quickly, Dan Stimmell was a widely respected name on the local fly-fishing scene. One of his accomplishments was adding a fly-tying class to the local school curriculum.

Stimmell recommends the No. 14 sulphur as a good early season fly on Oil Creek: "The first time I went down there fishing with my grandfather, I think that's what he tied on for me," he said. "I've used it since then with success.

"Oil Creek has plenty of room for a fly rod. There are a lot of nice runs and stretches where trout will congregate, and there are a lot of nice hatches," he added.

One of his favorite stretches is downstream from the Drake Well Museum. He also likes the area around Petroleum Center.

Most of the better trout fishing in Oil Creek lies within Oil Creek State Park.

For information about the park, contact the Oil Creek State Park office, 305 State Park Road, Oil City, PA 16301-9733. You can also e-mail oilcreeksp@state.pa.us, or call (814) 676-5915.

DUNLAP CREEK LAKE
Don't overlook the region's numerous small lakes that get stocked with trout. In the southwest corner is popular Dunlap Creek Lake, which receives more stockings than most. It lies west of Uniontown along U.S. Route 40 to New Salem Road. Then take Stoney Point Road.

Get local information through Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, 120 East Main Street, Ligonier, PA 15658. Phone 1-800-333-5661, or visit www.laurelhighlands.org.

For travel information, contact the Pennsylvania Office of Tourism, Room 404, Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120; or call 1-800-847-4872.

To learn more about trout-fishing opportunities, including regulations and stocking information, contact the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, 1601 Elmerton Avenue, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. Log on to www.fish.state.pa.us, where stocking information is also available, or call (717) 705-7800.