How to learn fly fishing?

[MuskieBait]

Great advise OT!

And along the same lines, there is no one rod that can do everything. A #6 is too light for bass, pike and steelhead. A #8 rod is way too heavy for trout (even those 24" resident brown trout) or panfish. So do figure out what you will mostly use the fly rod to catch which fish, and choose the right rod for you.

I started with an #8 rod that I bought from a friend...and later found I prefer to fish for small stream trout and a #5/6 rod is better for that. I used the #5/6 rod for a few years just learning to fly fish until I got to the point needing to upgrade my rod (it was a cheap combo with a sub-par rod)...and not long after upgrading, I got a #10 for salmon, gar and saltwater...and now I have a #8 as well.

I would suggest starting with small stream trout as they are a little more forgiving (and you are also casting smaller flies, lighter fly line and to shorter distances). Move to the heavier combos and long casts when you are ready to make the jump.