1. Opening day of trout season, throughout most of Pennsylvania, is April 12. What should fly anglers be doing now to get ready?

There are two things fly tiers really miss out on. First, candy flies. Most guys really underestimate things like Glo Bugs, San Juan Worms, Flashback Nymphs -- flies that are a little more gaudy, but early in the season the stockies really take a liking to.

Also, depending on location and how warm it is, you could run into incredible fly hatches. Always make sure you have an ample supply of wet flies. Wet flies are a traditional way of fly fishing that is completely under-utilized, but it can work really well on recently stocked trout.

2. What item of gear do anglers frequently forget?

It's simple, but most anglers neglect to bring rain jackets. If you're not comfortable, you're not fully focused on the water. Also, warm clothing. In springtime, you never know -- it could be snowy or a bright day in the 50s. Make sure you have that second level of clothing prepared.

3. This is the second year of the new early opening day of trout season in 18 southeastern counties (March 29). Should Pittsburgh-area anglers give that area a try?

I wouldn't bother going to the Philadelphia area. It's already elbow to elbow down there. People in the southern part of the state fish there, then come up [to central Pennsylvania] for the second opening day.

4. You have a fly-fishing clinic coming up in Western Pennsylvania. What can your students expect?

I like to focus on the fundamentals that a lot of anglers overlook. For beginners, they'll get a good overview of fly fishing basics -- how to use the equipment, when to try different techniques.

5. What's in it for experienced fly anglers and people who've already taken the class?

In the competitive fly fishing scene, I always pick up bits of advice, things I hadn't thought of before. I share them later with people in the classes. After every course, people come up to me and say, "I've been fishing for years and I never thought of that." Some of those new things I'm adding to the class this year.

George Daniel, of Lock Haven, Pa., will host a Fly Fishing Clinic May 17-18 at McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. 724-376-1000, info@mckeever.org, www.mckeever.org.