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Fly casting lessons in Foster City

Lessons are available for individuals, couples, children, families and groups. Instruction is personal to each student's experience, goals and learning style, and all casting equipment is provided at no charge.

Book a lesson Call (415) 571-6149

Risk-free instruction: see it your way or don't pay. If Bill can't explain and demonstrate fly casting in a way that makes sense to you, you don't pay for the lesson. In more than 35 years, no student has needed to use the guarantee.

Discounts for active-duty military, seniors and families. Call Bill to find the right lesson and discount before you book.

Bill Ward kneeling beside a river holding a large silver salmon — Learn from Bill Ward, an International Game Fish Association world-record holder and member of the Fishing Hall of Fame.

Lessons and prices

Everyone starts with a first lesson, an introduction to fly casting. Continuing lessons build on it. Every lesson includes all equipment and scheduled breaks.

Prices and durations from Bill's booking calendar on September 14, 2026, simplified from 29 booking options.

First lessons

One person: $195; 2.5 hours with one 20-minute break
One person Best value: $245; 3.5 hours with two 15-minute breaks
Seniors 65 and over, one person: $195; 3 hours with two 15-minute breaks
Two people: $300; 2.5 hours with one 20-minute break, $150 each
Two people Best value: $390; 3.5 hours with two 15-minute breaks, $195 each
Family plan: $300; 3.5 hours for two immediate family members, plus $100 for each additional family member
Three people: $400; 3.5 hours
Four people Best value: $500; 3.5 hours with two 15-minute breaks, $125 each

Continuing lessons

One person: $145; 1.5 hours
One person: $175; 2 hours with one 20-minute break
Seniors 65 and over, one person: $120; 1.5 hours
Two people: $225; 1.75 hours with one 15-minute break
Family plan: $200; 2 hours for two family members, plus $100 for each additional family member
Group class, four to six people: $195 each; 4 hours, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, with two 20-minute breaks

Spey casting

Introduction to Spey casting: $195; 2.5 hours with one 20-minute break
Spey session: $125; 1.25 hours

Extras

Extra time: $25; Per 15 minutes beyond your scheduled lesson
Casting evaluation: Free; 15 to 20 minutes for experienced casters, by arrangement with Bill

Good to know

Pay by card when you book online, through PayPal (no PayPal account needed), or pay cash or Venmo at the lesson. Cards can't be taken at the lesson.
To cancel or reschedule, call Bill at (415) 571-6149 at least 48 hours ahead.
If rain or strong wind makes a lesson unsafe, Bill will contact you to reschedule at no charge.
Lessons are on the grass and water at Marlin Park, with public restrooms and picnic tables nearby.

What happens in your first lesson

Bill starts wherever you are, whether you've never held a fly rod or you've fished for decades and want to fix your cast.

Get to know the gear
How to choose equipment, how it works, and how to put a rod and reel together and take them apart without damage.
Learn the casting motion
Grip, stance and the basic stroke, explained through the simple geometry of a cast so you understand why it works, not just what to do.
Control the loop
Line management, loop shape and the timing of the pause, with Bill correcting small faults before they turn into habits.
Leave with a practice plan
Drills to do on your own, and resources to keep improving between lessons.

Choosing a lesson

How much do private fly fishing lessons cost?

A first private lesson with Bill costs $195 for two and a half hours or $245 for three and a half hours, with all equipment included. Two people can learn together for $390 over three and a half hours, and a group of four pays $125 each. Seniors, active-duty military and families get discounts.

What's the difference between group and private fly casting lessons?

In a private lesson, Bill's attention is on your cast for the whole session. First lessons can include up to four people, and group classes take four to six, so each person gets less individual coaching but pays less. A three-and-a-half-hour first lesson is $245 for one person or $125 each for four.

What should I look for when choosing a fly fishing instructor?

Look for a certified casting instructor with real teaching experience and reviews from students at your level. A good instructor diagnoses your cast and explains why it works, not just what to do. Bill is a certified casting instructor who has taught more than a thousand students. Read student reviews.

How do I find a certified fly casting instructor near me?

Fly Fishers International, which certifies casting instructors, keeps a directory of them, and local fly fishing clubs can recommend instructors in your area. On the San Francisco Peninsula, Bill Ward teaches at Marlin Park in Foster City, seven days a week by appointment.

Read the fly fishing FAQs Fly fishing for beginners

Where lessons happen

Lessons meet at Marlin Park, 1000 Marlin Ave, Foster City, CA 94404, on the Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose. Lessons are by appointment, seven days a week.

Get directions