Chicago’s North Pond Casting Pier Needs Your Support!

Witten by: Robert Tomes and Josh McKown

The Windy City’s most famous public casting space is in jeopardy.
Photos courtesy North Pond Casting Pier

The Windy City boasts a colorful history of politicians, mobsters, architectural landmarks, and, most recently, the world champion Chicago Cubs. Many fly fishers around the country might be surprised to learn that Chicago was once the site of the world’s first international fly-casting competition, held during the world’s fair in 1893.

Even more important, the long tradition of casting competitions and education continues to this day, thanks to the efforts of dedicated anglers and organizations in the Chicago fly-fishing community and beyond. Today, anglers of all ages can be found honing and teaching their skills on the historic North Pond Casting Pier located in famous Lincoln Park, just steps away from Lake Michigan. During the summer months, the nearby Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum also sponsors free casting lessons for its patrons, introducing some 500 kids and adults annually to the joys of casting. In all, it is estimated some 11,000 people use the North Pond Casting Pier each year for outdoor recreation, including fly-casting.

Chicago was home to the world’s first international fly-casting championship.

Orvis Chicago is proud to be a part of this local history, offering regular fly-casting lessons on the pier throughout the summer months. Despite its iconic role in fly-fishing history—and modern day popularity —the North Pond Casting Pier is now under threat from a well-intended but misguided local organization that wants to remake the North Pond in their own vision, potentially destroying the pier in the process.

The loss of the north pond casting pier would be a major blow, not only to the local fly fishing community, but also to anglers around the country who value and appreciate the history of our storied sport. If you care about the future of the north pond casting pier, please make your voice heard by voting here to save the pier! To learn more about the fascinating history of the north pond casting pier, upcoming tournaments, casting lessons and current events check out the web sites of the North Pond Casting Pier and Orvis Chicago.

Robert Tomes is a fly-fishing author and educator. His books include Muskie on the Fly, 25 Best Places / Fly Fishing for Pike, and 25 Best Places / Fly Fishing for Muskie. Josh McKown works at Orvis Chicago.

Many children are introduced to fishing through programs held at the pier.