MarkF,

I just read through Al's "Basic Fly Tying Kit for a Christmas Gift (or any other neat opportunity)." You can't go wrong with his advise. You'll end up with a good foundation that will last you a very long time.

I should warn you that Al's kit list is a common sense approach which fades quickly once the addiction grabs hold. There is no cure and you are doomed to buying every gadget under the sun not to mention all sorts of materials from the strange to the exotic. You'll never look at your pet the same way again, not to mention your own hair and road kill - I won't even go there.

Good luck!