These are very basic considerations for the beginner, but well worth doing (several times) to avoid bad habits and wasting your time: take classes on how to cast…take fly tying classes…take a guided trip or two…visit the shop when they are having special events and speakers…join fly fishing clubs…go on those club’s outings…watch other anglers on the river or lake and study their techniques…ask questions (hard for men to do).
Guided trips (I know they can be spendy) or fishing with others that invite you, is one of the best suggestions I can give. Keep an open mind and take advice from your guide/friends and you will learn more in that outing then in months by yourself.
Yes, you can read inspirational how to stuff like here at SwittersB & Fly Fishing, you can watch videos and inspiring movies and such, but that direct contact with experienced fly fishers will accelerate your progress.
Attending to the basics, the black and white, of the sport and not getting overloaded with all the minutiae too soon. Like any past time you will involve yourself to the degree of your given talents and aptitude. Enjoy it and master the basics first.
Then, also study this blog, others on my blogroll and add to the basics. You will soon realize there are different roads to the same destination….by that I mean you will be taught seemingly conflicting techniques. Sort through all this and build upon the new information. In time you will develop your own style.
SwittersB & Exploring 
So impressive photograph, I loved it. Thank you, love, nia
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Thank you so much Nia. As always very kind.
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You’re so right about conflicting information. When I first picked up a fly rod I read, studied, downloaded the Orvis Fly Fishing App, and fished with others. My “style” as it were is a combination of information gleaned from many sources plus my skills and knowledge from years of spinning rods. I took my first guided trip in July and was quite proud of myself with only two foul casts out of two full days on the water. Of course, I will always be learning.
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Yes, and you reference to spinning rods is an excellent reminder that gear guys are not confined to plunkers sitting in a lawn chair shore side. I through hardware for years, still could, and was quite adept at working water with spinners along seams, through riffles etc. For some time I fished a terminal setup with spinning reels level winds and a fly! Say it ain’t so! I caught many steelhead and salmon way..on the fly…connected up the leader to slinky’s, Maxima, shap swivels and a Lamiglas Rod and Cardinal 4 reel. Presentation was learned and much of it can be expressed in fly fishing. My kids were taught to cast a spinning rod, with a casting bubble and a dry/emerger 3-4′ off the casting bubble. They built confidence in the fish liking the fly. That was used on lakes and streams.
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