From http://www.skypub.com/comets/hb13.html , the Comets Page at the
web site of Sky & Telescope magazine  --

Ever since amateurs Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp discovered their namesake
on July 22, 1995, the astronomical community has been abuzz with glowing
predictions of a potentially great comet heading our way. ...

Brian G. Marsden (Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams) says, "I
still think that the best comparison for Comet Hale-Bopp is that of the
Great Comet of 1811, hitherto the one that was visible to the naked eye
for the longest time."

   From http://www.griffithobs.org/Skyinfo.html , web site of Griffith
   Observatory, Los Angeles; lots of good links  --

From about 6 March to 20 March in the northern latitudes the comet will
be visible in the northeast sky starting at about two and one-half hours
before sunrise, at 10 to 20 degrees above the horizon.  Your clenched
fist at arm's length spans about 10 degrees, and can help you estimate
angles.  It's about as bright as the brightest stars, with a hazy head
and a dimmer, filmy tail extending to the upper left.

It's also just becoming visible in the evening sky.  Look low in the
northwest just as the last glow of twilight is fading out.  The tail
will extend to the upper right.