Thanks to JR and Wayne, and everyone else for the good advice. I tested
out the suggested method of winding the excess leader and tippet around
the outside of my reel, yesterday morning. It worked like a charm, I
had much more time to fish because I wasn't fussing around with getting
that pesky fly line out the end of the tip top, while standing knee
deep in the water.

Secondly I caught and landed a fish for the first time on my fly rod. I
hooked up with three white bass and had them jump before I finally
landed the fourth. Playing the fish with the striping hand is really
fun, much more involved and sporty than crankin on a spinning reel and
hauling it in. The fly I even tied myself an olive wooly bugger. WHAT
FUN! I think I'm going to donate my spinning rig to charity.

Thanks,
-Ethan