First I just picked up my first fly rod and am probably gonna start easy by using just a couple flys till I see what I'm good at throwing!
So what is the difference in a wet fly and a dry fly?
Second my fly rod is a 5wt would that be decent for bass at local ponds?
Thanks guys!!

There is a ton, three or four actually, of data out on the Internet that I won't try to quote or link to. But bottom line, a wet fly is intended to get wet, submerge while a dry fly is supposed to stay dry, ride on the surface like a maylfy or some such.

Google search for wet fly
Google search for dry fly

Down the rabbit hole! LoL

A five weight ought to be fine. The one of the biggest limitations is the size of the fly that can be cast with a particular weight fly rod. I can't imagine anything other than a 100 lb. snapping turtle that the five weight couldn't deal with in a local pond.

A 5 weight will be just fine for pond fishing. I've caught plenty of 18 and 19 inch bass on my 4 and 5 weight rods. You won't be able to throw the really big bass flies but at certain times of year you can catch bigger bass on size 2 or smaller flies in the ponds anyway. The only other concern is muscling them out of the weed beds. I usually grab the fly line and drag them out of the weeds,LOL!!!

I used to throw an 8 weight with huge flies and catch bigger bass but I've figured out I enjoy catching big sunfish/bluegill more. You can often find bigger sunfish/bluegill in ponds than you can in large lakes.

For top water (dry flies) I usually use Betts Fancy poppers or tie spiders and froggy flies.

For subsurface (wet flies) I usually use woolly buggers or briminators. You can catch alot of different species of fish on clousers, briminators and woolly buggers.

Don't forget to get those lessons. You don't want to end up like me with a bad shoulder, carpal tunnel in my elbow and numb fingers, LOL!!!!

Good advise above to get you started I'm sure that as you progress into the world of fly fishing you will collect an assortment of tackle to suit different fish and conditions

Mike

Thanks for the clarifications!!!
I think I may be taking the rod out here in about three weeks when every thing calms down at work I will update you guys on how it goes!!

Jasoniam,

You will get tons of advise...some good and some not so good...but be careful to avoid what I call the "technical" trap, i.e. getting caught up in the technical aspects of today's fly fishing.

When you are starting out, just enjoy the sport...its truly beautiful and the more simple you make it, the more beautiful it is.

LOL.....thats what I'm hoping for lol!!!Right now I do PLAN on taking it simple, but if its like anything else I will overthink as usual!!! hopefully I plan on hitting up bass pro for some quick FREE lessons on casting!! got to get that goin first!!

Orvis has a fly fishing 101 and 102 that are free. You will also receive some discount coupons that can be used in the store. I took these last year.

Don't wait too long.. This is the time of year when those stock tank bass move up onto the shallows to put on weight for the winter. Perfect setup for your 5wt and a black and chartreuse clouser.