OSDAVE ,
From one newbie flyfishmen to another welcome! I started in mid June myself . I also started tying my own flies and have now taken up saltwater fly fishing.
If you get a chance stop in the Fly Swap section and check it out . The swaps are a real fun way to practice the same pattern and then swap them for some really neat flies made by other members.

Oh and on the mashing the barb.........I'm currently fishing with 1/0 and 2/0 clousers and with the barb mash they seem to pull out of my skin much easier