How To Tie Fly Fishing Knots

Question:
I have only just decided to start fly fishing this year. I have tied flies since I was young and up to this point most of my fly use has been done by rigging them on spin casting reels or clumsily lobbing them out with my one fly-rod. This year I want to do it right. I have flies I KNOW the stripers will like and want to bring them in on a fly rod.. and maybe even practice on Mackerel. What do I need to do to this fly rod? I have it set up with backing, floating line and a leader (5lb I think) it's a largemouth type set up I believe. I'm really struggling with the knot tying thing and I'm just getting myself frustrated and confused. I'm not even sure of the purpose of a tippet. All I have been doing up to this point is ---trying--- to get the flies out with a leader and my bulky messy knots. Is there an easy way to do this? I need a good basic how-to-fly fishing and tie knots 101 site. Will this leader even hold onto a modest striper? How is this done usually?

Answer:
You need at least a 7 weight rod (I have a 7 and an 8 weight for saltwater) and a 9 ft leader with a shock tippet. Bluefish and Mackerel both have teeth and I have lost many of these fish after a few seconds into the fight. Even after getting the knots right and the wind knots out of your leader the biggest challenge with saltwater fly casting is keeping the fly out of your earlobe. A strong gust of wind at the most inopportune time will make it seem like you are throwing a seagull tied to a clothesline! It's not uncommon for the fly to pass by your head opposite your casting side. But it's all worth it when that huge Redfish, Snook or Tarpon is racing your reel down to the backing. There are many sources on-line for common knots. Use a nail-knot to ties the tippet to your leader. Use a surgeon’s loop to attach the leader to your fly line. The tippet is the last 3 feet of your leader. As you change flies and breaks off on fish the leader gets short. You tie on an extension (the tippet). Finally, when you get a strike, DON'T lift the rod tip to set the hook. Your fly rod will snap immediately. Set the hook by making a sharp pull on the fly line (just like stripping the line during retrieval) with the fly rod pointed toward the fish.