NATURAL RESOURCES BOOK REVIEW.

Outside Traveler: 2004 Annual

$4.95 No one does the outdoors better than the staffers at Outside magazine, and, as is to be expected, this glossy annual is much more than gloss.

Unlike nearly every other periodical that produces an annual list of outdoor trips, Outside packs its issue with real, usable and imaginative takes on getaways throughout the country and world.

The annual, on display through March, is definitely worth the time of any outdoors enthusiast looking for a little inspiration.

ON THE INTERNET

--Federation sensation: The Federation of Fly Fishers only sounds like something out of ``Star Trek.'' But the organization's Web site (www.fedflyfishers.org) was around even before William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and starship mates were protecting the United Federation of Planets.

Founded in the early 1960s, the first ``Conclave of the Federation of Fly Fishers gathered in Eugene, Ore. By 1966, there were 29 clubs popping up around the country.'' Now there over 300 FFF chapters, ``and the organization is moving more and more toward being an organization composed of individual members.''

The club's introduction continues: ``Our goal is to support fisheries conservation and educational programs for all fish and all waters.''

There are sections about women and children's love for fly fishing here, as well.

--More flies: Catch-and-release fishing has become a trademark for fly- fishing enthusiasts. One organization taking such an approach seriously is the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers club (www.tgf.com).

The club members meet for lunch every Tuesday at noon on Park Avenue and 37th Street in New York and requires participants to adhere to a dress code that doesn't include a tie but does mandate a jacket and collared shirt.

- Chris Cocoles

--Prized fish: The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation will have its 31st annual Adult Fishing Derby on Nov. 8 at Apollo Park in Lancaster.

The derby, open to anglers 16 and older with a fishing license, will allow participants to compete during a four-hour period for prizes.

The event will benefit the Free Youth Fishing Derby on May 1.

Tickets for the derby went on sale Tuesday. Information [phone] or [phone].

Apollo Park is at 4555 W. Avenue G in Lancaster, next to Fox Fairfield.

--Lead pays: The Los Padres National Forest will kick off a pilot program to encourage hunters to use ``gutpile safe'' ammunition while hunting deer in portions of forest in an effort to reduce the amount of lead condors pick up while foraging in the region.

Under the ``Help Get the Lead Out Rebate Program,'' all big-game hunters in deer hunting zone D-13 (Ojai and Mount Pinos Ranger Districts) who use solid copper Barnes X-Bullets loaded into some lines of Federal and PMC hunting ammunition or Winchester Fail Safe rifle ammunition will be eligible to apply for a $15 rebate on the purchase of the alternative ammunition.

The program is aimed at helping endangered species such as the California condor and other wildlife that are susceptible to lead poisoning from eating lead bullet particles in game remains, said Maeton Freel, wildlife biologist for Los Padres National Forest. X-Bullets and Fail Safe bullets do not leave lead residue in gut piles or blood-shot that meat hunters leave in the field.

--Safety first: There are many 10-hour hunter-education classes offered in the region. These classes are required before buying a hunting license and satisfy the California requirement for a safety course before a handgun can be purchased.

In Los Angeles County, Spanish-language courses are available in Baldwin Park, Canoga Park, Inglewood and Torrance. Instructors also are available in Santa Ana, Colton, Escondido and Lompoc.

Information: [phone] or www.dfg.ca.gov.

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no caption (Magazine cover -- Outside Traveler: 2004 Annual)

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