Not to dodge your question, but experience goes a long way in finding out many things. Get your gear (with different fly lines, sink tips, heads etc.) and have a go at it. Experiment with different tips and see how they perform in your chosen water. No doubt you will suffer countless fishless days. Keep taking notes on flows, weather, timing. After several seasons, things will start to come together, if you last that long. There really is no shortcut. A guide trip might cut some of your "experience" time.

DaveD