I love my avatar... sorry but I have to gloat about it. Its a 38 pound Atlantic Salmon. Its the second one I've caught that big but the first picture. I caught the other one when I was 8 yrs old. This one was caught last summer and I lost one even bigger. The fly was a 2/0 Red Abbey, Upper Looking Glass, Restigouche River, New Brunswick CAN.
I would go to a fly shop and have them show you the basic knots... nail, blood, surgeons and maybe a turle(sp) knot. Those are all good knots to know. I would also have them put the backing and flyline on the reel. I believe that most flyshops will put a butt section of leader on the flyline so that you can connect leaders with loops.
I would say to go to NW Angler in Pouslbo because I worked there last summer and know what you will get but you are in Arlington and I have no idea what fly shops are out there.
I would put a Versi-Tip system from Rio on your reel because as a beginner it gives you the most versatility, but if you dont want to pay that much, just go with a strait floating line and you can ajust the leader length to fish different depths and techniques.
Once you have your line and everything is ready to go, start casting. Good casting will catch you more fish than good equipment any day. If you can't cast then the odds of catching fish, especially from shore, is drastically reduced.
Sorry its been so long winded. Good luck, and maybe we can get out this summer and catch some SRCs or some silvers when they come in.
david

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE==