Good choices... and you can't go wrong with natural coloured deer hair tom thumbs...they will tear those flies apart and still hit them.
Yeah? Good to know! As a beginner, I tend to beat the crap out of flies. Ive noticed, no matter where I get my flies from, the tom thumbs can be absolutely abused and still manage to float high and keep their shape decently enough. I personally have 4 or 5 different version ones for the simple fact that they are great beginner flies to use.
To the original question though, although we are new, I think half the fun is collecting flies. Even if you wont use them, or not often, I am working at getting a couple of all the "mainstream" flies in a couple different sizes. Although Im only up to about 60 or 70 now, slowly but surely the collection builds. I just got a set from Flyshack.com, and they seem to be good quality. Great selection there too. Out of the ones I have, I think Ive only fished about, 12 of them! But you bet that when I head out, they all come with me, JUST IN CASE!