Women's Tenkara Gathering
September 10 - 13 / Brevard, North Carolina
Get ready for an tenkara-tastic gathering amongst women who love tenkara fishing. Whether you're tenkara-curious, a beginner or a pro, this event is all about sharing skills, stories, and good vibes. Meet some interesting people from around the tenkara-verse, learn new techniques, and have fun in a relaxed atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this unique chance to connect with other lady anglers acros the country and have an un-reel experience in Southern Appalachia! Email tenkara.gathering@gmail.com with any questions.
Things to look forward to when you purchase the $50 ticket to the first women’s tenkara event:
3 nights of group camping at Kuykendall Group Campground in Brevard, NC Education lead by experts in the field of tenkara with support for all the questions Door prizes that involve free tenkara and fishing gear from popular brands of tenkara companies from around the US (Tanuki Tenkara, Dragontail Tenkara, and Rocky MTN Tenkara), free guided tenkara trips, etc. Maps of the area with local fishing spots that include access and parking information. Schwag bag filled with fishing and tenkara goodies
FAQs
You do NOT need a tenkara rod or other gear to enjoy this weekend. You do not need to camp this weekend. Feel free to stay at a hotel or any of the local AirBnbs/VRBOs. Although there is a schedule of events during the weekend, there will absolutely be time to fish and enjoy the local waterways and you can come and go as you please during any of the formal educational pieces to the weekend. Maps will be provided for local intel. Please feel free to bring your husbands, wives, partners, etc. to stay at the campground, but this is a women’s event and the scheduled events, besides the Friday night social at Headwater Outfitters, will be for the paid attendees only. Tickets will be on sale until the event, but there will be a cutoff for the t-shirts to be made and if you purchase after that, then you risk not getting an event shirt.
Campground Questions
There is a creek crossing and with heavy rains it may be difficult to cross without a 4x4 and/or high profile vehicle. There is little to NO cell service at the campsite. Potable water and pit toilets will be available. A fire pit will be in use each night if there is no fire ban. The road to the campground is rough gravel and is nearly a mile long. There are no hook ups for RVs, but you are welcome to bring them. Just be mindful of the creek crossing. For more information on the campground, you can check out this website https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231994?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22510447360&gbraid=0AAAAACzIa85T2bqmKrLw36GUibz6l2ofo&gclid=CjwKCAjw4dDTBhAqEiwAkHYmSuJVvsa0DkpBCZ-8ugRYNorpX-BnVBvag8OFCstWesb1WlrswBoF-RoCKkIQAvD_BwE
Schedule of Events
Friday
Evening social at Headwater Outfitters in Rosman, NC. Local tenkara anglers will be invited to share in the festivities and to encourage and inspire community and growth in the tenkara community.
Saturday
Classroom education featuring Callie Freeman, Robert Worthing, Beckah Mahan, and Amanda Hoffner. The education will include entomology, reading water, tenkara basics, landing a fish with your tenkara rod, finding peace on the water, and other important tenkara and fishing information to be successful on the water.
Sunday
Stream-side education at Hendersonville Outfitter’s private water at Tuxedo Falls. There will be tenkara tactics discussed, visualized, and have hands on education on a classic and typical Southern Appalachian stream.
Line-Up
Amanda Hoffner
Amanda Hoffner, Lady Tenkara Bum, is a native of Pennsylvania and currently a traveling cath lab registered nurse in the PNW of the US. She can be found in the mountains or high desert of Eastern Oregon amongst wild trout streams or at her vise tying up some flies for her next adventure. Catching fish in Oregon makes that her 30th state that she has caught a fish in with her tenkara rod. With Martin Montejano, the Heritage Tenkara Project has been a passion project to encourage and inspire others to pick up a tenkara rod and catch fish. She looks forward to bringing her passion and interest of nature and native fish to as many people who will take a listen.
Callie Freeman
Callie Freeman, PhD in Entomology, is a passionate fly angler, dedicated educator and fly casting instructor known for helping anglers build confidence, refine technique, and deepen their understanding of the sport. With a PhD in Entomology and a professional background in science education and public speaking, Callie brings a unique blend of technical knowledge, patience and approachable instruction to every lesson and clinic.
Robert Worthing
Robert Worthing, M.D. and tenkara guide with Tenkara Guides LLC, is a certified fly fishing guide and founding member of Tenkara Guides, LLC. An avid outdoorsman, academic physician, and Navy veteran, he has appeared in a variety of fly fishing magazines, books, television shows, and events at regional, national, and international levels. A devoted member of Team Oni U.S.A., Rob is one of only three students in the United States to earn Masami Sakakibara’s approval to instruct the Oni school of tenkara fly fishing.
Beckah Mahan
Beckah Mahan, MA, LPC specializing in TF-EMDR, is an EMDR Consultant and owner of Reflections Mental Health, LLC, in Madison, WI. Beckah uses an attachment orientation to blend the science of connection with the power of healing for trauma and chronic stress. Her specialty populations include working with veterans, first responders, and adopted children. Beckah utilizes EMDR, IFS, Ketmine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), therapy intensives, nature therapy, animal assisted therapy (AAT), polyvagal and somatic interventions, and Therapeutic Fly-Fishing with EMDR(s) (TF-EMDR). With 17 years in behavioral health, getting clients outdoors and to the water with tenkara has been transformative in helping people heal and find a sense of "okay" again, or maybe for the first time. Urban fishing and access to Wisconsin's Driftless region makes for an incredible therapy backdrop! Beckah also offers other therapists training, consultation, and business mentorship. In her free time, she can be found listening to punk music, gardening, paddleboarding, reading trashy romantasy, or playing board games!
Ben Colonesse
Ben Colonesse is the owner and guide behind Fixed Line Appalachia, a Western North Carolina guide service focused on Tenkara and fixed-line fly fishing. He helps anglers of all experience levels explore small streams, embrace the simplicity of the method, and connect more deeply with the fish and mountains surrounding them. From tiny Tanago setups to longer Keiryu rods and everything in between, Ben also designs and handcrafts specialized nets, packs, tools, and other purpose-built gear for exploring wild water simply and thoughtfully.
Chris Jameson
Chris Jameson, tenkara guide and owner of Trout Trail, is the owner and guide behind Trout Trails, a licensed, insured, and NPS-permitted tenkara and fly fishing service in the Cataloochee watershed of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A UGA biology grad with years spent pursuing wild and native trout throughout the backcountry of southern Appalachia, Chris guides with one goal: unforgettable days on the water that deepen your connection to these mountains and the wild fish that live here.