I'm quite new myself. I got skunked on the Deschutes several times, then took a class about a month ago. Last week I pulled in 12 native redsides, released them, and am loving it. They're right regarding the cost-it can become riddiculously high, although the payoff is priceless. If you have half as much fun as I am, then you'll still be better off than everyone else in the world who doesn't fly fish!