I only wish I had more first hand experience/knowledge on the subject so I could offer a better answer. I've only been doing this for about six months so I'm hesitant to offer advice on something I'm not completely sure of myself.
I have to agree with you about the helpful members on here. I go onto one of the bigger sites much less now...most of the sub forums have turned into a few guys who started fishing three years ago and are now experts in every subject and others who can't help but to make sarcastic remarks in every thread.
Are you planning on getting into fly fishing or fly tying?