Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club

GGACC Learn to Fly Fish (LTFF) Program

(Revised for 2026)

The Learn to Fly Fish Program (LTFF) at Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club (GGACC) is a two-year program with a focus on taking people who are new to fly fishing, to a level of competence that allows for independent pursuit of the sport. The focus of the LTFF program is primarily fly fishing for trout. The program has a significant social component designed to introduce you to a group of like-minded people who will likely become lifetime friends you can go fishing with.

Students who complete the program are well positioned to fish independently, or to join GGACC Rondy events which provide opportunities to fish with other club members and opportunities to learn to fish for other species.

Program Overview

Length: 2 years
Focus: Trout fly fishing (casting, presentation, entomology, reading water, ecology, safety)
Format: Classroom/clinics + mentored, on-the-water fish-outs
Capacity: Max 40 new students per year
Age: 18+
Fees: $125/year (non-refundable; fish-outs have additional separate fees)
Membership: Active GGACC membership required
Certifications: FFI FCSD Bronze to enter; advance to FCSD Silver expected during Year 1 for to prepare for Year 2.
Contact: ltff.ggacc@gmail.com (Program Leads: Alan Dye, Thomas Knoble)

Entry Requirements

FFI FCSD Bronze certification (assessed by a GGACC Casting Lab instructor).
(See Fly Fishers International Fly Casting Skills Development Program for details.)
GGACC membership (current, dues-paying for both years of program and for admission to the program).
18 years or older.
Liability release signed at program entry.

Admission: First-come, first-served among applicants who already hold FCSD Bronze.

Casting Lab (Prep for LTFF Program Entry)

When: Every Sunday, 9:00a-12:00n, Sept (first weekend) → Feb (last weekend)
Where: GGACC ponds (1232 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94121)
Purpose: Prepare for/achieve FCSD Bronze; early sessions loaner rods available, but students should plan to purchase their own equipment within the first month.
Note: Bronze must be certified by a GGACC instructor at Casting Lab.
Note: Casting Lab also provides instruction for Bronze students advancing to Silver.

Curriculum & Clinics

Core instruction: Casting, presentation, entomology, reading water, ecology, safety. A combination of webinars and in-person clinics.
Clinics (as needed/interest):
- Float-tube techniques
- Sinking-line fishing
- Aerial mends & advanced casts
- Other skills tied to specific fish-outs
Casting and Tying Lab: LTFF program participants are encouraged to attend summer casting labs (held monthly March to July) and can join Tying Lab to develop fly-tying skills with other LTFF students and instructors.

Fish-Outs (On-the-Water Training)

Mentored events; typically include an on-water clinic.
Participation: Limited to LTFF students; not guaranteed a minimum of fish-outs.
Fish-out cadence: ~3 fish-outs in Year 1; >3 in Year 2. Students are expected to also take independent trips each year beyond the organized fish-outs.
Level focus:
- Year 1: Trout dry fly
- Year 2: Advanced trout techniques
- Optional Opportunities: Limited surf casting, and other species (bass) as available
Costs: Each fish-out has its own fee based on trip expenses.
Transfers: Coordinate with fish-out leaders/scheduler to sell a slot to another qualified LTFF student or possibly a LTFF alumni (no refunds from the program).
Year 2: Some fish-outs (esp. out-of-state) require FCSD Silver due to difficulty.

Equipment Expectations

Month 1 of Casting Lab: Acquire personal rod, reel, line; typical rod: 9' 5- or 6-weight
Additional personal gear (as needed) before your first fish-out: waders, boots, nets, tools, packs, etc.

Enrollment & Policies

Entry point: Year 1 only (no direct Year 2 entry).
Re-entry: If you leave, plan to restart at Year 1.
Refunds: None on program or fish-out fees.
Safety: Liability release required.

Can't Attend Casting Lab?

Arrange private instruction with a GGACC casting instructor to reach FCSD Bronze.
Inform program leaders if you choose this route; request an instructor recommendation if needed.

Key Dates & Actions (At a Glance)

Sept-Feb (Sundays, 9a-12n): Casting Lab → earn FCSD Bronze (GGACC-certified).
Upon Bronze: Apply to LTFF (first-come, first-served, cap 40). Entry closes in March for Year 1.
Year 1: Progress casting to FCSD Silver; attend ~3 fish-outs + all relevant webinars and clinics.
Year 2: Advanced fish-outs (some require Silver).

Program Graduates

Program graduates (alumni) can purchase fish-out slots that are available from students looking to sell, or unfilled slots in planned fish-outs
Graduates are actively encouraged to become fish-out mentors for the program
Occasionally we may organize alumni fishing opportunities which you will be notified about - these may have a FCSD Bronze or Siver requirement to participate