Wannacut Lake is seven miles south southwest from Oroville via Blue Lake Road. The lake is 411 acres and is primarily a put-and-take fishery for rainbows. Although pan-sized rainbows are the norm, carryovers exceed 16 inches. The fish are plump and feisty due to the abundant aquatic life in the lake: scuds, chironomids, damsels, etc.

The lake has no public campground, much to our disappointment, as our map mislead us. There is a public restroom, however, at the public boat launch at the southwest side of the lake. The lake is surrounded by private property. Fortunately, the owners authorize fisherman to trespass their property to fish, but no camping is allowed. We camped at nearby Blue Lake, one mile east, which has no amenities or designated campsite.

The manager of Sun Cove Resort informed us that he might have one more spot available and it would cost $25 per night to stake our tent. We had just spent $48 to stay in a motel in Omak, which had beds! The manager laughed when we asked if there was a public campground on the lake. He apparently didn't realize that his fee for staking a tent was more laughable. So we camped at Blue Lake for free.

The lake is large and the wind can be a significant deterrent to kicking a float tube across the lake. I fished with my five- and six-weight rods, and found the clear intermediate line most productive. Although I regret not trying chironomids—because they are fun to catch fish with—I used Denny’s Stillwater Nymph, which suggests both damsels and scuds, because throat samples showed both, although chironomids were the clear majority by about 15 to 1, as seen in the vial contents from an 18-inch rainbow.

I lost two fish and caught one in the northeast shallows before heading for the northwest shoals, which were vacant of fishermen, although some came by boat later. My present company consisted of goslings and their caring parents, and a seagull that would not leave a certain rock.

With some trial and error I came to the conclusion that finding the fish is the key. I found them within eight to fifteen feet of water mostly, and managed to catch a fish every ten to fifteen minutes when in the right location. I caught one four-inch monster and a couple of dozen 12-inch specimens, and one 18-inch carryover, which was the prize of my fishing.

All of the fish were well conditioned and plump due to the exceptional food supply.

I switched to a marabou damsel pattern with monofilament eyes, which proved irresistible to cruising trout.

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