PILIER II · 探る · SAGURU
Explore.
73 tenkara spots documented across Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. Interactive map, signature rivers, six themed routes traced on the map.
INTERACTIVE ATLAS · 地図 · CHIZU
Global tenkara atlas.
73 tenkara spots documented across Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. Click each marker to see the target species, water type and optimal season. Not exhaustive — share your favourite spots with us.
Interactive tenkara spots map
EN VEDETTE · 名所 · MEISHO
12 signature rivers.
Real trout streams made for the tenkara rod — from Quebec to the Maritimes and the bordering U.S. states.
Montmorency River
Within the Forêt Montmorency, this river is described by tenkara anglers as a dream: active brook trout at nearly every cast, perfect for a level line the length of the rod and an Ishigaki kebari.
See on the map →Forêt Montmorency (streams)
Université Laval's teaching forest — the largest in the world — with two lakes and three rivers. A known tenkara destination that has hosted the Tenkara Summit. Small wild brook trout everywhere.
See on the map →Jacques-Cartier (tributaries)
The small mountain tributaries of the Jacques-Cartier, around the national park, offer cold freestone runs and pockets — accessible wild brook trout north of Quebec City, in the same tenkara region as Montmorency.
See on the map →Sainte-Anne (upper)
The upper Sainte-Anne and its mountain feeders near the Laurentian reserve run cold and clear through the same Quebec highlands that anglers fish with a fixed line — riffles, pockets and small pools.
See on the map →King Brook
Called "simply WOW" and "made for tenkara" by a Montreal-based tenkara angler. Wide in places, very narrow in others for more challenging fishing — the perfect size for all preferences.
See on the map →Crystal Creek
A pretty little creek fished early-season by Montreal tenkara anglers because its water level drops fast. One bank is clear of overhanging branches — patience rewards you with stocked browns.
See on the map →Great Chazy River
One long, beautiful river with riffles, runs, pools and flats — and plenty of access. A favourite of Montreal tenkara anglers who appreciate finding water without the crowds.
See on the map →Mad River
A Pemigewasset tributary fished and documented with tenkara gear. Its headwaters in Mad River Notch — hike-in only — are pure tenkara: pockets, drops and eager native brookies.
See on the map →Swift River
Along the Kancamagus, fished with tenkara by the Red Brook Tenkara community. Quick-moving pocket water with small pools and riffles — textbook stealth fishing for 6–8 inch brookies.
See on the map →Ellis River
Fed by Mount Washington snowmelt along Pinkham Notch, in the heart of the White Mountains tenkara region (home of the annual White Mountains Tenkara Camp Out). Accessible runs and pools.
See on the map →Battenkill
A legendary Green Mountains wild-trout river where Vermont guides now offer tenkara trips. Long riffles into small pools, demanding accuracy and stealth — the upper, narrower water suits a fixed line.
See on the map →Rapid River
Maine is a regular destination for fixed-line anglers (tenkara and keiryu). Only seven miles long but legendary — North Woods fishing at its finest for strong, wild native brookies.
See on the map →SENTIERS · 道 · MICHI
Six themed routes.
Rather than fishing a single spot, follow an itinerary. Six routes signed tenkara.ca — click a route to see the full details, then trace it on the map.
Quebec Route — Native brook trout
Itinerary at the heart of Quebec tenkara fishing. Native brookies, contemplative streams, home of the Tenkara Summit.
See itinerary → 🗺️ See on map →Quebec Route — Native brook trout
- Forêt Montmorency (ruisseaux) Day 1 — Teaching forest, Tenkara Summit, native brookies
- Rivière Montmorency Day 2 — Active brookies on nearly every cast
- Rivière Jacques-Cartier (tributaires) Day 3 — Mountain tributaries, freestone pockets
- Rivière Sainte-Anne (amont) Day 4 — Upper sections, riffles and small pools
3.6 m rod, 6:4 action. Dark kebari #14-16. Early start at first light. Sepaq permit required for Foret Montmorency.
Adirondacks ↔ White Mountains Route
The Northeast tenkara pilgrimage. Native brookies, granite valleys, 5+ spots documented by the Tenkara Angler community.
See itinerary → 🗺️ See on map →Adirondacks ↔ White Mountains Route
- English River Day 1 — Start, wild brookies, fixed-line
- Great Chazy River Day 2 — Adirondacks, riffles and runs
- King Brook Day 3 — "Simply WOW, made for tenkara"
- Mad River Day 4 — White Mountains, Mad River Notch hike-in
- Ellis River Day 5 — Pinkham Notch, White Mountains Tenkara Camp Out
3.3-3.6 m rod. Separate NY + NH licenses. May-June = blackflies. Free camping in Adirondacks outside designated areas.
Rocky Mountains Route — Cutthroat
From the Front Range to Yellowstone. Native cutthroats, alpine lakes, the official playground of Tenkara USA and Rocky Mountain Anglers.
See itinerary → 🗺️ See on map →Rocky Mountains Route — Cutthroat
- Boulder Creek Day 1 — Tenkara USA home water, learning
- Indian Peaks Wilderness Day 2-3 — Alpine lakes, hike-in, native cutthroats
- Rocky Mountain NP streams Day 4 — National park, 5280 Angler / RMA
- Sawtooth Mountains streams Day 5-6 — Idaho wilderness, westslope cutthroats
- Slough Creek Day 7 — Yellowstone NP, wild cutthroat in meanders
3.3-3.6 m rod. Park + state licenses (CO, ID, WY). Wading staff recommended. Altitude > 8000 ft: 24h acclimatation.
Pyrenees Route — Native brown trout
Latin tenkara. Pyrenean torrents, wild brown trout, Salvelinus school on the Spanish side, Pyrenees Peche on the French side.
See itinerary → 🗺️ See on map →Pyrenees Route — Native brown trout
- Pyrénées (versant français) Day 1-2 — French side, Pyrenees Peche school
- Pyrénées espagnoles (Aragon) Day 3-4 — Spanish side, Salvelinus school
- Rivières d'Asturies Day 5 — Northwest, native brown trout
- Rivières du León Day 6 — Cradle of traditional Spanish fly fishing
3.6-3.9 m rod. Local permit per region (France) or community (Spain). April-May = high snowmelt flow. Mind regional closures.
Discover Tenkara Route — UK hill streams
The great British tour. Historic stronghold of Paul Gaskell and John Pearson (Discover Tenkara). Brown trout, grayling, intimate small streams.
See itinerary → 🗺️ See on map →Discover Tenkara Route — UK hill streams
- Peak District streams Day 1-2 — Discover Tenkara HQ, brown trout + grayling
- Yorkshire Dales streams Day 3 — Yorkshire Dales, classic water
- Welsh hill streams Day 4-5 — Snowdonia, Welsh mountain streams
- Scottish Highland burns Day 6-7 — Scottish Highlands, intimate burns
3.3-3.6 m rod. Day ticket per club or riverkeeper. Careful wading (fast flow after rain). Warm gear even in July.
Itoshiro Route — Japan pilgrimage
The ultimate pilgrimage. Mythical Itoshiro valley (Oni Sakakibara s home water), Sho River, Kuzuryū down to the Sea of Japan.
See itinerary → 🗺️ See on map →Itoshiro Route — Japan pilgrimage
- Itoshiro Day 1-3 — Itoshiro valley, master Sakakibara s domain
- Sho River (Shokawa) Day 4 — Iwana and yamame, sedge-like kebari
- Kuzuryū Day 5-6 — Fukui honryu down to the Sea of Japan
- Nagara River Day 7 — Clear Gifu water, Pacific amago
Keiryu 3.6-4.5 m rod. Prefectural permit required (local hardware store). Guide recommended (language, etiquette). Catch & Release at Itoshiro.
EVENTS · 行事 · GYOJI
Tenkara events 2026.
Gatherings, festivals, camp-outs and guided outings. The tenkara community is small but active — every event is a chance to meet serious practitioners and learn directly.
Midwest Tenkara Fest 2026
The annual Midwest gathering dedicated to the art and community of tenkara. Hands-on sessions, technique clinics, shared meals, fishing the Driftless streams. All levels welcome.
Official announcement →White Mountains Tenkara Camp Out 2026
5th edition. A grassroots gathering in the White Mountain National Forest. Small-group fishing on wild trout streams, instruction stations, a fly-tying evening, BBQ.
Tenkara Angler Events →Tenkara Bug Out 2026
5th annual edition. Access to the Deschutes and Metolius rivers. Organised by Jim Vandagrift, Amanda Hoffner and Tenkara Oregon.
Details →Rocky MTN Tenkara High Desert Campout
First edition. Four days of "choose your own adventure" among the small streams and big water of northern New Mexico. Access to blue-line streams and the Rio Grande Box. Free.
Details →Tenkara Takeover – San Juan River
A relaxed four-day meetup centred on fishing the San Juan River below Navajo Dam. No formal program: morning meet-ups to coordinate, fishing by day, evenings around the fire. 14-18 inch trout, with 20-inch-plus opportunities.
Details →Guided outings – Tenkara Canada (Danièle Beaulieu)
Personalised outings and introductory courses with Danièle Beaulieu, pioneer of tenkara in Quebec. Brook trout, landlocked salmon and more. Direct booking.
tenkaracanada.net →List verified in May 2026 via Tenkara Angler and direct sources. To submit an event, contact us.
A river to share?
Send us your favourite spot — we'll add it to the atlas (with your permission).
Contact →A short letter, every Sunday morning.
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