The opening day of trout has finally arrived for Western Pennsylvania as anglers head to their favorite streams, lakes and camps.

The festivities bring out young and old, man and woman and the familiar sights of entire families making the opener an event. Cleaning the garage, doing homework and laundry day are soon forgotten on this weekend.

In fact: “If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles” — Doug Larson.

Quality time of finding yourself with a friend or loved one in a beautiful landscape of water and nature can’t get any better.

Trout anglers come in many forms from the serious fly fisherman to the can of worms and a bobber first-day only angler. Each has his place in the world of trout fishing.

As the crowds filter away, the solitary fly fisherman will continue to pit his skills against the wiliest trout left on the streams. Many anglers will be looking for new waters to fish as the closing of PFBC lakes will be surely felt as the traditional places anglers have come to know are now gone.

For many people, this will be the first time that they really think of vanishing resources and opportunities for recreation. To quote Washington Irving, “There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind.”

We all need to think about our stewardship of the resources every day, not just when the wet towel hits us in the face or in this case the dry one!

For me, the fishing season always kicks off when trout season begins in earnest. The sporting goods stores are bustling with tackle, rods-reels-line-lures-hooks and every gadget and bait conceived by an active fishing imagination.

I would say that the fishing industry is a million dollar industry, if not a billion dollar one. I would expect to see more anglers on the local waters this year due to fuel prices and the value of a few days recreation vs. the more expensive week long trips.

Of course, this hasn’t stopped me and my friends with planning some adventures on the Great Lakes and the Allegheny River. Once again we get back to the idea of rekindling old friendships, building bonds and family memories by getting away from the stresses of life even if for a little while.

Try it some time, pack up the car and head out for a day or two. Build a campfire, talk, cook over the embers, laugh and head for a motel if it starts to rain!

Women are the largest growing segment of the angling fraternity. The potential for individuality, flair and ingenuity are limitless.

The possibilities to learn from experienced anglers are very good if you are a neophyte angler, but if you have the time and can afford it, there are many fly fishing schools and programs that are specifically targeting female anglers.

Our local sportsmen’s club has many accomplished female anglers who will give any guy a run for his money when it comes to fishing. So don’t be surprised when you see the angler next to you being a fisherwoman.

Regardless of your plans, get out and enjoy the trout opening day and remember that a fishing license is less than 10 cents a day. That’s a lot of entertainment value over the entire year and is good for boating season on the lakes and rivers, too!

Good luck with your opening day adventures and no matter how poorly you might do, remember: “The fishing was good, it was the catching that was bad.”- A.K. Best.

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle