Casting Programs

Since the founding of the Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club (GGACC) in 1933 and the construction of the world famous casting ponds in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in 1938, GGACC has always had a tradition of providing quality casting instruction to its members and the general public. Recently, one of the most celebrated casting instructors of our time, Mel Krieger, routinely conducted casting lessons at the GG ponds. Since Mel's passing in 2008, several of the instructors that he personally trained, have continued teaching in his tradition.

GGACC's current Head Casting Instructor is Willy George, an FFI Certified Master Casting Instructor (MCI) who trained under Mel Krieger. The MCI is the highest level of instructor certification bestowed by Fly Fishers International (FFI). Willy also sits on the FFI Casting Board of Governors (which was founded my Mel) and its Executive Committee and trains and certifies future casting instructors as an authorized FFI Test Examiner. Willy is the Director of Casting Instruction for the Northern California Council of the FFI and is on faculty at Stanford University where he teaches their first ever credited, introduction to fly fishing course. The volunteer casting instructors at GGACC are all personally trained by Willy to provide quality casting instruction using the methodology developed by the FFI and in the tradition and inspirational spirit of Mel Krieger.

The Casting Instruction Program at GGACC includes:

  • Free Monthly Casting Lessons for Members and the General Public (see description below)
  • Casting instruction for Students in the GGACC Learn to Fly Fish Program
  • Two-handed Spey Casting Instruction in the Spey Education Program
  • Specialized Casting Clinics such as Shooting Head & Sinking Line Classes for GGACC Rondy and LTFF Participants
  • Training for current and future casting instructors in the GGACC Casting Instructor Development Program (see description below)

Free Monthly Casting Lessons Open to the Public

On the second Saturday of each month year-round, GGACC hosts its popular Free Monthly Casting Lessons for Members and the General Public. All classes are held at the Golden Gate casting ponds in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Classes begin at 9:30 AM and conclude at 12 Noon. A free lunch is then provided by GGACC. After lunch, a free Skills Building session is held in the Angler's Lodge clubhouse to further assist with the students' fly fishing education (see description elsewhere on this website).

All casting instruction is provided by specially trained, qualified teachers using standardized, proven teaching methodologies and carefully crafted lesson plans designed for group instruction. The casting instructors at GGACC are recognized by the global casting community as some of the finest fly casters and instructors in the world. They participate on an entirely volunteer basis and are committed to taking our student casting abilities to the highest levels possible.

Four different levels, listed below, are taught concurrently in separate cohorts, each run by a Lead Instructor. Students are welcome to choose their own training level or can ask any of the instructors for advice on a best fit for their interests and abilities.

  • Level 1 - Beginner
    • Beginners learn how to set-up a fly rod and reel
    • Beginners learn the Roll Cast, the Pick Up and Lay Down Cast, and how to False Cast
  • Level 2 - Novice
    • Novice students should have a good handle on the Beginner skills mentioned above
    • Novice students work primarily on loop control on both Roll Casts and Overhead Casts while False Casting
    • They also learn how to use their line hands and to shoot line
  • Level 3 - Intermediate
    • Intermediate students should have competency on the Novice skills mentioned above
    • Intermediate students further perfect their loop control and take aim at accuracy targets
    • They also learn to slip line, single haul, and make presentation casts
  • Level 4 - Advanced
    • Advanced students should have a mastery of all the skills mentioned above
    • Advanced students learn to double haul, hit accuracy targets at distance, and cast in the wind
    • They also learn to make various presentation casts & mends, single-handed Spey casts, and other specialty casts

Periodically we also offer students an opportunity to participate in the popular FFI Casting Skills Challenge as a low key, fun way to assess your current level of casting competency. Participants discover which casting skills they should be practicing. This is done on a completely voluntary basis. Ask your casting instructor for more information.

The free casting lessons described above are the number one way that GGACC attracts new members but you do not need to be a member to join us. No prior casting or fly fishing experience is necessary and free loaner equipment is provided on a first come, first served basis.

Interested students should check the GGACC Events Calendar on this website for specific dates and more detailed information. Participants should be sure to Register on the Events Calendar.

Casting Instructor Development Program

The Casting Instructor Development Program at GGACC was developed by Willy George to build a cadre of specially trained, qualified casting instructors to fill the numerous casting instructor needs of GGACC, including the Free Monthly Casting Lessons. To enter the Program, candidates must first exhibit casting skills at the highest possible level. Then they must demonstrate a commitment to further skill improvement including becoming a teacher of fly casting. Many of our current casting instructors are "home grown" having started as GGACC students.

These instructors learn to teach casting using standardized, proven teaching methodologies and carefully crafted lesson plans designed for group instruction. Our expert instructors also help new candidates become better casters by understanding casting mechanics and loop dynamics. Before we ask new instructors to teach students or lead a casting lesson, we allow them to "shadow" an experienced instructor. We also help candidates to diagnose and solve casting problems at all skill levels.

The Casting Instructor Development Program meets monthly on the second Saturday of each month. Their morning is spent teaching students in the free casting lessons. In the afternoon, the instructors become "students" once again to learn the art and science of casting instruction. The time commitment is significant but very rewarding. Several of these casting instructors have progressed to the level where they are prepared to take the rigorous, multi-hour FFI Casting Instructor certification test. For those who are interested and able, this journey takes on an additional commitment of time and effort. Certification candidates sometimes train for several years before being truly ready for the test. The GGACC Casting Instructor Development Program is recognized as one of the premier programs in the world to train for the FFI certification exams.

If you are interested in joining the Casting Instructor Development Program to become a casting instructor at GGACC and to possibly train for the FFI Casting Instructor certification test, please contact Willy George.

Willy George
GGACC Head Casting Instructor
busygeorges@aol.com

Upcoming events

    • 01 Sep 2024
    • 26 Jan 2025
    • 21 sessions
    • The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Ponds

    Casting Lab:

    Time/Date: 9a.m - 12 noon every Sunday morning from September 1st 2024 to January 26th 2025.

    (Excluding October 6 for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass)

    Casting Lab is open to all GGACC club members and provides an opportunity for coaching on your casting skills. Primary focus is developing the required casting skills for those seeking to apply to the Learn to Fly Fish program in December 2024. More information on LTFF here.

    Secondary focus is the development of abilities required to demonstrate the Fly Casting Skills Development skills at the bronze, silver, and gold levels. The FFI Fly Casting Skills Development, FCSD, program is designed to teach casts that are used in real fishing situations, with progressive levels of skill. To learn more, download the Angler's Guide here.

    Please contact Alan if you have any questions. 


    • 11 Jan 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.

    • 08 Feb 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.

    • 08 Mar 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.

    • 10 May 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.

    • 14 Jun 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.

    • 12 Jul 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.

    • 02 Aug 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.

    • 13 Sep 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.

    • 11 Oct 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.

    • 08 Nov 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.

    • 13 Dec 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds.   Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.

    A few points to consider –

    • These lessons focus on casting single-handed fly rods.
    • Casting lessons are a “go," rain or shine.
    • For safety reasons, no flies with hooks are permitted; only "yarn" practice flies are allowed (these practice flies are provided free of charge).
    • Students are expected to provide and wear their own eye protection (regular glasses, sun glasses, or safety glasses) at all times during the casting lessons.

    Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently): 

    • Beginner 
    • Novice
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors .  To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).

    Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.


Questions? Please direct your inquiries to the appropriate mail box:

General Information:
club.ggacc@gmail.com

Social Media:
ggaccsocial@gmail.com

Learn To Fly Fish Program:
ltff.ggacc@gmail.com

Our Mailing Address:  Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club  ·  P.O. Box 591476  ·  San Francisco, CA 94159

Members! Be sure that GGACC emails do not end up in your spam folder. Add no‑reply@ggacc.org to your email contact list.

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software