Fishing resorts still a lure for family vacations

The beauty of small lake resorts is you can do as much as you want, or you can do nothing at all.

That lesson was reaffirmed on a recent trip to north central Washington. My wife, two children, and I spent time on the shores of Curlew Lake near Republic and of Wannacut Lake near Oroville.

We explored the areas and devoted considerable time to the docks, tossing Power Bait, hoping to a catch a trout.

Sometimes the grown-ups sat in camp while the kids roamed and played. The kids and their friends borrowed my fishing net to catch painted turtles.

State parks were nearby, where we could have stayed, but for this trip we were looking for a few more amenities. Depending on your budget, you can find resorts in Eastern Washington that cater to your needs or those that provide far simpler amenities.

At Curlew Lake, we opted to pitch our tent at Black Beach Resort, which caters to the serious fisherman and the retired RV-driving crowd.

Curlew Lake is popular among anglers because of its chunky rainbow trout, hard-fighting largemouth bass and large and toothy tiger muskies.

Sharon Collins, who owns the resort with her husband, Al, found us a spot under two large trees that gave us plenty of shade in the afternoon. The fishing dock and the play area were just across the camp road. We also had a great view of an osprey diving into the water in search of its next meal.

The resort served as a good base camp for exploring the area. One hot and sunny afternoon, we unearthed 49-million-year-old fossils at the Stonerose Interpretive Center in Republic. Afterward, we found some cold and tasty ice cream treats at Eich’s Mercantile. It also has Wi-Fi for those who absolutely have to stay connected.

Another afternoon, we swam, fished and picnicked at nearby Curlew Lake State Park.

Each evening, the resort offered us shade from the hot Eastern Washington sun, plenty of room for the kids to run off the last of their energy, and a comfortable spot to cook dinner and enjoy a few s’mores.

In our three days at the resort, I noticed a strong sense of camaraderie, especially among the anglers. Whenever the kids and I set up our gear on the dock, we always got encouragement from the boat anglers as they came and went.

One time, before getting our gear, we spent a few minutes chatting with one kindly gentleman. A couple of hours later, he made sure we saw the lunker rainbow trout he landed.

He even gave us a tip on white Power Bait fished off the bottom that proved correct. We had fresh trout for breakfast the next morning.

Next stop was Sun Cove Resort on Wannacut Lake, a hour to the west. Our plans to take a few day trips fishing for Lahontan cutthroat trout on nearby Blue Lake or making a quick trip to Canada were scrubbed within 30 minutes of arrival.

Sun Cove is a one-stop resort. If you don’t feel like camping, stay in one of its small cabins – they are more like large motel rooms, but they include a full kitchen.

Don’t feel like doing your own cooking? Head to the small restaurant.

Inside, resort owners Brian and Gail Anderson make wonderful homemade meals and pies, using recipes handed down by the original owners. They also make delicious cinnamon rolls that you can preorder for breakfast.

Young children have plenty of freedom at Sun Cove. Kids younger than 12 need to wear life jackets on the dock and cannot go into the pool without a grown-up, but that’s about the extent of the rules.

Our son and two friends spent hours catching turtles off the dock. Our daughter and her two friends frolicked in the water at the sandy area next to the boat launch.

The day we rented boats, playing won out over fishing. At one point, our friend dropped off the life jacket-clad kids mid-lake and let them swim to the far shore. Their laughs and giggles could be heard across the lake.

Their smiles made for some of the best photos from the trip.

A fish-catching foray was detoured to watch a pair of bald eagles perched on a lakeshore tree. I cut the engine and we sat and watched the eagles for 10 minutes.

When we got down to business, there were plenty of fish to catch. Small rainbow trout were easily caught by dock-bound beginners; larger trout were the allure for those in boats.

Beyond the fishing, swimming and general fun, I also discovered a sense of community at the resort. Folks gathered around the communal fire pit each night, making treats, sharing stories. Folks sitting outside their cabins always inquired about your luck if you walked past carrying your fishing rods. The restaurant was the meeting place each night for our group of three families, adults and kids indulging in desserts that were large and tasty.

This is a tough economy for resorts. A “for sale” sign was hung on Black Beach Resort while we were there. Brian Anderson said his visitor numbers are steady, but people aren’t staying as long or visiting the restaurant as much.

Still, they offer more amenities than a standard park campground. For a few days, the resort can be your home away from home, complete with friendly neighbors.