M y advice is not to scrimp on patterns. Don't limit yourself to just a few patterns in a few sizes. The day will come when having a wide selection is going to pay big dividends. Also, learn to fish sinking terrestrials. Some of the greatest fishing I've ever experienced has been with sinking beetle, ant, inchworm and hopper patterns.
Big fish are suckers for a sunken terrestrial.
There's something about a drowned terrestrial that turns them on. Fish these patterns just as you would a nymph, and the results will surprise you. T he actual process of fishing most terrestrials pattern is really no different from that of fishing any dry fly. You certainly don't need to rush out and buy a new rod-what you have will do just fine, whatever it is. It isn't your equipment that will guarantee success, but the technique you use.