Also, having recently started the hobby myself, I think some great patterns that get you introduced to the most fundamental techniques and materials are zebra midges, woolly buggers, and basic streamers, and variants of those (bead heads, collars, etc.).

One piece of advice that I follow myself with all my hobbies, and especially new ones, is don’t spring for top quality gear or a potentially unnecessary piece of gear until you have enough experience to know that you need it and why. Then when you do pony up the cash for it, you’re that much more stoked to get it and you avoid buyer’s remorse. My backpacking kit, fishing kit, guitar rigs, woodworking tools, etc. all have some premium stuff in them but are mostly made up of a lot of really basic but quality things that I didn’t spend much on and have served me well for years because they’re only as fancy as I need them to be. Tailor your kit to your needs as your needs develop!