Every spring, a handful of tenkara anglers gather at the foot of the White Mountains, in New Hampshire, for three days of fishing, teaching and campfires. The White Mountains Tenkara Camp Out is not a trade show: it is a warm, grassroots community gathering that celebrates fixed-line fishing on wild trout streams. In 2026 it reaches its fifth edition.
Where and when
The gathering runs June 5-7, 2026, at Barnes Field Campground, near Gorham, in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. The group campground serves as headquarters: you pitch your tent there, meet in the morning to coordinate outings, and return in the evening to share a table.
Why the White Mountains are ideal tenkara terrain
The granite streams of the White Mountains seem drawn for tenkara. Steep gradient, cold clear water, a succession of small pools and pocket water, wild brook trout: everything favours the long rod and the light line. Distances are short, the foliage dense, and precision matters more than reach — exactly what the fixed-line rod does best.
This terrain is part of one of our themed routes, the Adirondacks ↔ White Mountains route, which links the granite valleys of New York State to those of New Hampshire. The Camp Out is one of its annual highlights.
How it unfolds
- Small-group fishing. Anglers spread out across the wild trout streams according to skill level and mood. Beginners are never left on their own.
- Instruction stations. Experienced anglers demonstrate casting, reading the water and rigging. You learn by doing, on the water.
- Fly-tying evening. Around a table, people tie simple kebari and trade the patterns that work in the region.
- Shared meals and BBQ. In the evening the community comes together. It is often there, around the fire, that the most knowledge is passed on.
What to bring
A 3.3 to 3.6 metre rod in a 6:4 action covers most of these streams. Bring a few dark kebari in sizes 14 to 16, polarised glasses, and a valid New Hampshire fishing licence. Logistics: a tent, warm clothing (June nights stay cool at altitude), hiking boots, and the willingness to walk a little to reach the best lies.
The spirit of the Camp Out
What makes this gathering valuable is not a packed schedule: it is the absence of one. You come to fish with other enthusiasts, without pressure, and leave with new skills and a few friendships. For anyone looking to join the North American tenkara community, it is one of the finest doors in.