The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club

We don't do fly fishing, so we can't say much about what this facility has to offer. But it's fun watching people angling and casting their bate. The water was artificially dyed with a blue tone, so the pool is a nice contrast to surrounding trees.

This was my first time at the casting pond. I actually just went to use the restroom 🚻 and saw this little gem. I was informed that every 2nd Saturday of the month, from 9am-2pm, there is a casting tutorial.

Went and witnessed the Spey Casting Championship. Good crowd and nice setup. Can get right close to the action. 3 separate ponds and semi secluded from other park activities. Looks like they keep it in good condition.

It’s weird to fish where there are no fish but I got so much out of just being more focussed and precise… I hear that if you go when there are more people around you can get great advice too

Hidden in the far western end of the Golden gate park is a casting pond to practice your fly fishing casting. There are no fish here, just a place to target for your fly / casting practice. Lots of space. Ample free parking. It was empty on a Tuesday at 3pm.

Situated in a historic building built especially for fishing, the owner/tenants are a friendly angling collective primarily focused on fly fishing. The few members I encountered on a visit were very engaging. This was my first time encounter with a casting pool. I loved it. Sequestered away from the main tourist draws in the golden gate park,it's a little difficult to find but if you are a fly fisherman, you have to go there. You won't regret your visit.

We attended a casting clinic here, ran by Western rivers conservatory and it was such an amazing experience! Will come back again in case I need to practice

This place may be the least known club in the Golden Gate Park. With the newly renovated lower lake trail there have been many new people discovering this tranquil place. The history of the club is interesting and the ponds are open to the public. The club offers free group casting lessons one Saturday each month for the public. Enjoy

The casting ponds are a great hub for the fly fishing community in the greater Bay Area. Check out the free casting lessons if you have interest in learning more about fly fishing. The club has many great teachers and mentors willing to share their time with those looking to learn.

Located in Golden Gate Park, the casting ponds and clubhouse are wonderful. If you have any interest in fly fishing, and want to learn or improve, I strongly recommend this club.

Did you know you could go fly-fishing in Golden Gate Park? The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club is located in the heart of beautiful Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. It was created to help promote the sport of fly fishing and casting. Their facilities are located on John F. Kennedy Drive in the western end of the park. Just look for the "Angler's Lodge" sign located across from the Buffalo Paddock.(information taken directly from the GGACC website) Though many/if not nearly all of GGACC's events are currently cancelled due to COVID - if you're looking to get more involved with fly-fishing - recommend I'd suggest looking into become a member here. It's a great way to get outdoors, connect with nature, and better connect with yourself. You can learn more about some of the inspiring teaching members here - https://www.ggacc.org/member-spotlight . Also, from reviewing their website - they still occasionally host some fascinating online talks and educational forums related to fly-fishing. Having watched my husband fly fish a number of times these past couple of months - I've seen first-hand the positive influence fly-fishing can have on a person. It encourages you to be steady. It encourages you to listen. It encourages you to be observant. It encourages you to appreciate nature. It encourages you to be grateful. And most of all - it encourages you to get out there - in the elements and just cast your rod. "Be patient and calm - for no one can catch fish in anger." ~ Herbert Hoover. Trust.

One of the hidden secret of San Francisco. Who knew this was even here! I discovered the Casting Ponds while on a scooter ride Through the city. It is so secluded and unknown, that it is a perfect place for a picnic or to watch people practicing fly fishing. There are also free classes on Saturday mornings. I haven't done this yet, but it is on my short list for San Francisco. If you have never been here, I definitely recommend checking out the casting longs. A hidden gem of Golden Gate Park.

I heard about the casting pools in Golden Gate park some 4 years ago when we first arrived our new home, San Francisco and it wasn't until yesterday that my fly rod and I made it out to this little urban oasis. The casting pool is available year round to the public and at no charge. The GGACC is a membership club and entry is available for a very, very modest annual fee. I hadn't had fly rod in hand for some time and I was without doubt rusty. No worries however as there are many GGACC members about the casting pool who are willing to interrupt their zen-seeking moment to provide as much or as little input as to how to achieve sexy loops as you might desire. I'd like to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to Golden Gate park for providing such a facility to what must be a very niche slice of the San Francisco population! I am grateful. I am also grateful to GGACC for being there as and when needed. If you, like me, need practice and are in search of zen moments, try doing some casting at the Golden Gate park casting pools.

A hidden gem! I've visited Golden Gate Park several times and recently discovered this place! Very calm and quiet atmosphere. There is also a lot of space. Perfect spot to practice fishing.

I first came here in summer camp when we were playing large games of hide and seek all over the park. The fact that many people don't even know this place exists, certainly helped when hiding. However, I was a little disappointed when I went there about a month ago. The pools had more algae than water and I couldn't find any fish, no matter how small. There weren't even any cool water-skimming bugs. And yet, I'll keep coming back. It's so peaceful. (Oh, and there are bathrooms there, which is good since there aren't too many on that end of the park.)

Wow, what a treat for this Midwestern fly angler to stumble upon the home of the historic Golden Gate Angling club while taking a walk in the park! Seriously, I'd read about the club's history and knew the club existed, had casting pools, etc. but never figured I'd have time or reason to check it out during my short stay in town on vacation. Having spent a couple hours one Saturday afternoon, I can say that this is a world class operation. I really enjoyed touring the clubhouse, looking at all the historic pictures and framed flys hanging on the walls and so on. The history is palatable here. Watching the other anglers practice their casting was a treat too! This is just a really cool place to see, whether you're a reasonably experienced fly fisherman like me, or not even interested in the sport- on a nice day, this spot in the park offers something for everyone.

Wow. Simply... wow. Something like 28 years and I had never found them until today. My lady and I were enjoying the bison... (BTW.. get a stud for the ladies and keep em goin!) What an awesome hideout and little place to get some practice in. Awesome treat... neat escape. Beautiful and fun.... thanks again GGNRA!

Hidden gem in Golden Gate Park with some of the nicest bathrooms, and nicest people, in the area.

Pretty fly. Almost surreal and definitely serene scene of people perfecting their casting technique. No fish to be had. Just practice makes perfect. We only stayed for a few minutes but easily could have lingered for a while longer. In a city getting busier by the moment, gems like this are more important than ever.

This place makes me feel like a kid again. So cool that you can practice casting right in the middle of the city. Don't have a rod and reel? On the second Saturday of each month (except August) you can check out a club pole and get free casting lessons all morning. I had fished quite a bit when I was younger but still learned a lot - they break the free lessons into four skill levels.

I don't want to let the secret out, but this is an unbelievable club. Free monthly casting lessons, cheap classes on a variety of subjects, outing/fishing opportunities, tons of experts willing to provide all kinds of information on technique, gear, locations, etc... and always a good crowd of people looking to improve their skills and share in the community. I joined after my first casting lesson. Memberships are an excellent value. I recommend the lessons to anyone even slightly curious - come learn what the art of fly fishing is all about.

This is another SF treasure. Rods, not poles (they are for telephone wire), can be checked out with a license and smile free of charge. Old timers and seasoned fly men are always about and more then ready to provide lessons in the ways of the cast. There is something magical watching a serenely perfect double haul on the glassy ponds. Fog, fair, rain and shine, you will always find a handful of friendly folks out there to give a hand and story. If the weather gets really lousy, the guys will que up some video of old Alaska footage and relive the old days. These stories are priceless. The building, like some of its membership, is a landmark and is kept in pristine condition. The coffee isnt bad either but it will cost you a quarter with compliments included.

Fantastic place for first time casters or old hand looking for a relaxing afternoon of practice makes perfect in Golden Gate Park. The first time I went I was a little intimidated being the only girl there but an older woman approached me and was more than happy to teach me the basics & a very fine roll cast! I have found that cast incredibly useful on more than one occasion in the past few years since I began learning. They also have nice picnic tables so you can relax have a bite to eat and chat with people. Hard to find but worth the inner city adventure when you can't make it out of town.

I just like to go and watch people get their Angle on. Very relaxing. Also, easy parking for that side of the park.

Huge practice pool with lots of targets and almost no one around. Amazing secret!

Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club is the angler's equivalent of a golf driving range. The City of San Francisco and members of the club have provided a world class facility with free instruction and loaner equipment. This is a must do when in San Francisco Check ggacc.org, events page, for the free group fly casting lessons normally held the second Saturday of each month.

I enjoyed my visit to the casting pools. While I wasn't actually casting but rather just needed a little quiet time away from the city this was the perfect stop! The casting pools were very beautiful and the facilities were kept up nicely!

Such an amazing place. A product of The Works Progress Administration in 1938. I've spent countless hours at this great facility.