Telling a guy you're into fishing would probably relax them, at least you'd have something to talk about. Just keep their mitts outta the tackle box until you know they're for real.
I use mostly spinners, but I agree on the popper. We've got some excellent trout fishing here in GA and I want to learn to fly fish one day. I just bought dad a fly fishing rig for xmas, so next time I go visit I'm going to get all tangled up in fly line out in the yard :-D
Best advice I can give you on the fly casting (and I learned it the hard way) is to remember:
You DO NOT cast with your arm like when using a spin or casting rod, and you WILL catch yourself doing this no matter how hard you try not to -- especially if you are used to the other fishing methods.
Use your wrist, your wrist propels the fly line, just go back and forth with your wrist, then let go of the line.
For your beginning fly casting experiences, I'd recommend a popping bug on a farm pond chock full of big bluegill. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be hooked for life.