[Nooksack Mac]

Most packages, spools, etc. of materials contain enough for dozens or even hundreds of flies. Do some trades with other fly tiers: a yard or two of chenille for a half-dozen hackle feathers, etc. It's a big money saver.

A lot of beginners get discouraged because every step of tying seems difficult or impossible, until you learn how. There are a lot of books and videos that show how to tie, step by step. And maybe you can trade something for a tying lesson or two.

[jcl]

I actually got started with a fly-tying kit (maybe from Cabela's?). It had the equipment and material for 3 patterns, and it turned out to be a very cost-effective way to get started.

[eaglesfn68]

how about a glo bug thats easy enough

[Troutwhisperer]

a super easy pattern that catches fish is a griffiths gnat.

[Jose]

Yes! The Griffith's Gnat is super easy and highly effective. Griffith’s Gnat Pattern - Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Information Resource -some folks rib it but I don't bother. The buggers are awesome of course. I would say then move on to a dear hair caddis. There are so many variations but start simple: wrap dry fly hook from eye to bend with thread and tie in a bit of ginger antron yarn as a tail (if you have it), add brown/green/olive dubbing to thread and wrap this just short of eye, stack some costal deer hair and measure to bend of hook and pinch just in front of the eye, whip finish. This kid here does a pretty nice job with a cdc wrap instead of dubbing: YouTube - Tying the Apple Caddis I've only fished my version above and another version I tie using cdc to form a bubble under the wing, so I don't know how well his cdc wrap version will work. Again, I would use costal deer hair for these.

[kelkay]

Small streamers are easy. You just need tinsel, bucktail, thread, hook, and head cement. You can also easily make Blondes. Just Goolgle for patterns, and also You Tube has good instructional videos on streamers.

[FrankB2]

I never used a Green Weenie until this year, but man do they work! I've
been tying them mostly on #10-12 Mustad 9672/9671. Some are just
chenille with some wraps of lead-free weight underneath, and others are
tied with black/gold beads, and a small collar of green ice dubbing. They're
super simple to tie. Bluegills love this pattern, and my first largemouth of
ths year was caught on a Gren Weenie (back in late March!).

Wooly Buggers are another easy to tie, but really versatile fly. I use
buggers quite a bit, and tend to tie them in smaller sizes: #12 2x-3x long.