Meander Fly Co heads to Miena for the 2026 Great Lake Tie-In, celebrating fly tying, trout fishing and another memorable weekend in Tasmania’s Central Highlands.
October saw Meander Fly Co back in one of our favourite corners of the world, Tasmania’s Central Highlands, for the 2026 Great Lake Tie-In.
This year marked the tenth anniversary of the event since its return in 2016, and after missing several years, we were pretty excited to be heading back to Miena.
Naturally, we allowed ourselves a little extra time either side to chase a few Tasmanian brown trout as well. It would have been rude not to.
Back at the Great Lake Tie-In
For anyone with an interest in Tasmanian fly fishing or fly tying, the Great Lake Tie-In is well worth putting on the calendar.
The event brings an extraordinary collection of tyers together in one room, demonstrating everything from traditional Tasmanian patterns to contemporary flies and techniques. For us, much of the enjoyment comes simply from wandering between the tables, watching skilled hands at work and picking up those little ideas that invariably find their way back to your own tying bench.
There’s plenty for experienced fly tyers, but one of the best aspects of the weekend is its accessibility. You certainly don’t need decades behind a vice or thousands of trout under your belt to enjoy it.
In fact, newcomers are very much part of the occasion.
Celebrating the Craft
Fly tying is one of those pursuits where there is always something else to learn.
That was well illustrated at this year’s Tie-In, with accomplished Australian fly tyers working alongside young people developing their own skills and interpretations of the craft.
There was impressive tying wherever we looked, culminating in Dan Costelloe taking out the senior competition, while the enthusiasm amongst the younger tyers was equally encouraging.
It was a wonderful snapshot of a craft that continues to evolve without losing connection with the knowledge and traditions upon which it was built.
And, Of Course, We Went Fishing...
A trip to Miena without packing the rods was never going to happen.
We managed a handful of sessions on the Highland lakes, occasionally encountering trout almost as cooperative as we'd imagined them to be during the weeks preceding the trip.
Almost.
Spring conditions, changing water levels and Tasmanian brown trout provided us with plenty to think about. There were fish caught, opportunities missed and the inevitable post-session analysis of exactly why things had or hadn't worked.
In other words, pretty standard trout fishing.
And exactly why we love it.
More Than Flies and Fish
What struck us again this year was how much an event like the Great Lake Tie-In contributes to the culture surrounding fly fishing in Tasmania.
Clubs travel to participate. Volunteers give their time. Experienced tyers share their knowledge freely. New fly fishers turn up curious about the sport. The Miena community opens its doors and provides the hospitality that makes spending a weekend in the Highlands even better.
It creates something difficult to replicate elsewhere.
You can arrive interested in trout and fly tying, sit down beside somebody you've never met, and very quickly discover you have plenty to talk about.
That's probably one of fly fishing's better qualities.
Until Next Time
A few days chasing Tasmanian wild brown trout, a room full of exceptional fly tying and another visit to the Great Lake Tie-In made for a pretty special weekend.
We came home with a few fishy memories, some new ideas for the tying bench and the familiar urge to start planning the next trip south.
If your travels ever have you in Tasmania’s Central Highlands when the Great Lake Tie-In is on, add Miena to the itinerary- you won't be sorry!
Ben Carden & Steve Walton
Meander Fly Co
