Sal****er fly fishing... help

I have only just decided to start fly fishing this year. I have tied flies
since I was young and up to this point most of my fly use has been done by
rigging them on spincasting reels or clumsily lobbing them out with my one
fly-rod.

This year I want to do it right. I have flies I KNOW the stripers will like
and want to bring them in on a fly rod.. and maybe even practice on
Mackerel.

What do I need to do to this fly rod? I have it set up with backing,
floating line and a leader (5lb I think) it's a largemouth type set up I
believe. I'm really struggling with the knot tying thing and I'm just
getting myself frustrated and confused. I'm not even sure of the purpose of
a tippet.

All I have been doing up to this point is ---trying--- to get the flies out
with a leader and my bulky messy knots. Is there an easy way to do this? I
need a good basic how-to-fly fishing 101 site. Will this leader even hold
onto a modest striper?
How is this done sually?

I would really appreciate any suggestions?

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