ROB WELCOME TO THE SITE I myself started fly fishing in June . I started fresh fly fishing first then I began to learn tying my own flies . Of course like any sickness it only got worse . Last month I purchased a 9 wt fly rod and have also started tying my own salt flies. I think its terminal!

I really dont know much about buying online although most members will say ..."hey checkout our sponsors".
If you ever get the chance slip down to Salisbury and check out the local fly shop(the only fly shop) .

Casting lessons at the very beginning make things much easier.Try to see if your local shop offers them . My local shop includes them with any rod purchase. Ive also gotten lots of tying lessons because I purchased material there.
Oh and most importantly when you do start casting remember even the best caster started out as the worse.