Shopping, fishing lure many to Volant

VOLANT, Pa. -- The gently rippling waters of Neshannock Creek have a reputation for being some of the finest around for trout fishing.
When the weather is right, scores of fly fishermen wade along the creek's scenic banks and cast their rods to and fro in a steady rhythm until their purpose is complete and a fat, slippery trout dangles from their line.
To keep the Neshannock teeming with trout, the Pennsylvania Fish Commission has been stocking the creek every spring since the 1960s, and around 15,000 farm-raised trout are released annually.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, members of the commission will stop at Volant to release about 2,000 trout along a 2.7-mile stretch of the Neshannock.
The fish will be released at the bridge on Route 208 just east of Volant's old gristmill.
"It takes about two or three hours to release all the trout," said Cory Van Tassel, of Volant's Neshannock Creek Fly Shop.
"The fish are simply put in buckets and then dumped into the creek. [Onlookers] are welcome to participate, especially kids. It's a fun, family-oriented event, and besides the trout stocking, there's lots going on in the town that day."
Indeed there is.
What's in storefor that day
The Volant Volunteer Fire Department will host an all-day pancake and sausage breakfast, members of the local Amish community will turn out to sell baked goods, handmade crafts and kettle-cooked popcorn and doughnuts, and the many shops at Volant will offer specials and discounts.
Besides fishing, Volant is known for its shopping, and if you love to indulge in retail therapy but have never strolled its quaint streets, make a point to pay the town a visit.
A mere 30-minute drive from Youngstown, the sleepy little berg offers more than 30 charming stores specializing in everything from antiques, kitchen gadgets, artwork, dolls, fine furniture, leather, candles, rubber stamps, American Indian art, candy, bulk food and pet collectibles.
"This is a good time of year to come out and see the new spring merchandise," said Amanda Stanek, owner of Volant's Kitchen Shoppe, adding, "And there'll be a lot of good bargains the day of the trout stocking."
If bargain hunting makes you hungry, rest assured in the knowledge that Volant boasts four restaurants interspersed with its shops.
The town also has a bed and breakfast and even a winery.
Amish goods aboundin the countryside
Volant's old gristmill, which was built in 1812, specializes in Amish-made oak and pine furniture and country collectibles, and just up the hill is the Amish-owned and operated Amish Quilt Shop, specializing in -- you guessed it -- handmade Amish quilts.
Speaking of the Amish, if you crave the peace and tranquillity of the Amish countryside, you'll enjoy the drive to Volant almost as much as a stroll through the town.
Tidy Amish farms dot the rolling pastures of northern Lawrence County, and at every bend in the road it seems there's an antique shop or Amish specialty store.
Town is richin history
Volant was founded around 1784, and by the early 1900s was a bustling stop on the New Castle-Franklin railroad.
The Great Depression brought hard times to the area and things got worse when trains stopped running through the town during the 1960s.
The little town was reborn in the mid 1980s after the old gristmill was restored and transformed into an ice cream parlor and gift shop.
Soon numerous other shops cropped up around the old mill, and Volant was on its way to becoming the charming tourist attraction it is today.
XFor more information about Volant visit www.volantshops.com or www.visitpa.com.