Flannies as abundant as fish at Lake Leake

A paddock full of campers, a quality line-up of entertainment and colourful, chequered flannies everywhere he looked, was living the dream as far as Lake Leake Inn publican Troy Newton was concerned last weekend.

The former butcher from Newcastle has make the tiny trout fishing village a popular music and entertainment destination since taking over the pub three years ago.

On Saturday, Flannie Day became a thing – with people arriving in droves wearing the bush uniform, enjoying free camping, a free barbecue lunch and dancing well into the evening to the country tunes of Franco Maisano, Jamie Davis and Zack Walsh and the hilarious comedy and fiddle playing of Pixie Jenkins. 

Their late-night jam session was a highlight and among the crowd was a large group of women from Mad Girl Motor Adventures who had arrived early in the day on motorbikes as part of International Female Ride Day.

Having travelled the country, exploring the most beautiful and remote locations, especially around the Kimberleys, Arnhem Land, Torres Strait and Cape York, Troy has revelled in an idyllic location where he can work, fish and have fun, surrounded by bushland, lakes and mountains.

No stranger to running pubs, fishing lodges and caravan parks, Troy has concentrated on upgrading the accommodation, offering good hearty meals and creating a friendly, easy-going atmosphere at the Inn.

The addition of regular gigs in the carpark has boosted its profile and resulted in numbers swelling at Lake Leake from a handful of anglers on any given day to hundreds of party-goers from around the state on a regular basis.

“Three years ago the aim was to increase capacity for visitors and accommodate fly fishing groups, hold major events and park up many more vans – and with the help of my family that has been achieved,” he said.

With only 73 shacks at Lake Leake and four permanent residents, the viability of the Inn depended on it.

The original part of the Inn was built in 1875 to provide accommodation for workers on the nearby dam.

Eventually the bar was added in the 1970s and the premises became the Lake Leake Chalet with the emphasis more on providing a base for fishing and hunting.

Still full of heritage charm and country character the Lake Leake Inn has ramped up its social media, added new and better road signage and has been targeting tourists and local campers.

“At no point do we ignore our core businesses – catering for the fishers and hunters,” Troy said.

“Lake Leake was one of the first lakes in the State to be stocked with trout from England, fish eggs that were brought in on ice and kept alive covered in moss.

“It really is a pioneering trout fishery and it’s still stocked each year with rainbow trout and has a self-supporting head of brown trout.

“But it’s also great to see so many other Tasmanians discovering this little piece of paradise in their own backyard.”

With three years of his five-year-plan on target, Troy is now stepping back from the managerial role to go back to his first love – guided fishing tours in northern Australia.

He said he’ll continue doing the event organisation and overseeing operations, but local regular behind the bar and in the kitchen, Jodie Singline, will step up as manager of the Inn.

“There’s also some great things to come during the next two years for the Inn, including a mural on the roof that faces the road as you drive in, depicting the story of the building of Lake Leake dam.

“It’s going to be massive and another boost for local tourism as part of the Tasmanian Art Trail.”

The next event at the Inn is Cracker Night on Saturday, May 30 with music from 3pm, fireworks from 7pm, jam session at 8pm featuring Bo Jenkins, Jacob Boote. Tickets $25 on gigtix.