Ive been toyin around with the idea of starting fly fishing all winter. Got some gift cards and know what im going to do with them! I want to fish for bass and panfish in local ponds and creeks. I have lots of questions so bear with me!
Is a "tapered leader" simply a piece of mono? could i use regular 4-6lb line as a leader?

What are some essential flies i should get?

on my baitcasters i put a singular line on them, but as ive been doing my homework and have seen backing, fly line, leader, and tippet. my question is i need to know what i need on a reel?

thanks