With all this info to know & learn, it can be confusing to learn some of the essential stuff about fly tying. One of the things that I've seen trip up a newer tier is an understanding of feathers - particularly the differences between rooster & hen feathers & what they're used for in fly tying. Sometimes this isn't explained to beginners very well, which helps to perpetuate the confusion & can lead to disappointment.
Below is a video I found that describes the differences between hen & rooster feathers very well. I'm in no way affiliated with the fly shop presenting the video, I just thought this would be very useful info to some folks. If you're not sure about different feathers, or maybe need a refresher as you get into tying this winter, here is a very clear & understandable description of what you need to know to choose & buy the right feathers for the flies you're tying: