great post, i have found the addiction its not fair sometimes and i have been looking for FTA (Fly Tiers Anonomus) but havn't located the local chapter . i am by no means a fly tier lol i put materials on a hook the best i can and throw it at fish sometimes i trick them, other times not so much Thats Half the fun.

The day i caught my 1st fish on a fly i tied i was so proud ( a year ago or so ) was a wooly bugger, not a big deal to many, but was a day i will not forget,  it was a Brown trout early season about 15" i wanted to stop fishing so i could get home and post the  results to the board to share with all my fellow fisherman

Suggestion, i still buy flies but try to tie  the ones i use most often , the way i see it i learn on the easier ones buy some more of the difficult ones and then learn a new one when i feel the need to add to my box.  It has kept my supplies down and i have learned what i need for each fly many flies use same materials . i am not out of hand yet but will be bringing my vise out to the Ice house in the winter and will prob fall even further into the black hole of tying

 I  would suggest the woolybugger easy to tie and will catch many diffrent species of fish.

go cheap to start incase you do not enjoy, it won't cost you an arm and a leg and then you know for sure . Once you get better you can add the tools and supplies you need . i personally got a kit figured it had everythig i needed to get started. many people are against kits but i feel its a good way to see if you will enjoy it . comes with basic tools which i still have and use, all materials for common new england patterns and instruction viedo or book . yep material are low grade in most , but this is just the start. i got mine for 50-60$ from cabelas. it works and i have tied a few diffrent common patterns that have caught me many fish lots of fun to try diffrent flies also from time to time no pattern just wing it ... i have been surprised by a couple of small flies i have tied that the local browns cannot get enough of.

Either way good luck whatever you decide. buying local is a great idea. many folks  tie and sell, don't overlook your local shops as well.