Thanks for the welcome back! Yes, I think maybe too many years of high wrist shooting with a compundhas confounded my longbow shooting. I'm not giving up on them just yet, as I find them to be a lot of fun to shoot and look at.Like you, I prefer the wood arrows too.
I just needed a more effective hunting tool for now and a recurve with aluminums suits me just fine. Next spring the longbow and woodies will be back in action looking to harvest a nice bear in the fall. I'll bring it withon my hunting trips this year and if I feel like a walk with the longbow, than thats what I'll do. It's all fun.

Will probably contact you soon re: strings.