OUTPOST.

Byline: Daily News and Wire Services

Salmon bust: As many pundits predicted, Saturday's salmon-fishing opener was a major disappointment.

Not a single chinook was caught by party boats in Ventura and Santa Barbara.

``We didn't see hide nor hair of them,'' said Dan Bader, manager of Sea Landing in Santa Barbara.

Even the landings in Morro Bay, typically a hot spot for salmon because of cooler waters, got shut out.

``Now that's a shocker,'' Bader said.

Funny thing is, not many people were griping. Apparently that's what happens when El Nino produces the best year for exotics - namely yellowtail, tuna and dorado - in recent memory.

``We're catching yellowtail in March,'' Bader said. ``How much can you gripe?''

Local water temperatures have been hovering at up to 63 degrees, or as much as 5 degrees above normal. Salmon prefer their brine in the low to mid-50s.

You better swap around: A fishing tackle swap meet will be held 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Taylor Tackle, 21813 Sherman Way in Canoga Park.

Sellers are welcome to display used tackle only. Admission is free. Information: [phone].

Fishing U.: Penn Fishing University under headmaster Ronnie Kovach will hold a seminar from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday at Los Angeles Valley College, 5800 Fulton Ave. in Van Nuys.

Kovach, a local fishing-radio talk show host and veteran angler, offers a team of saltwater and sweetwater fishing experts who will share tips on how to catch everything from trophy largemouth bass and rainbow trout to marlin and other marine game fish. Cost is $28 and $14 for spouses and each child accompanied by a parent. Registration: [phone].

Meanwhile, the Penn Fishing University seminars held at the recent Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat Show in Long Beach raised more than $7,200 for Cal State Northridge biologist Larry G. Allen's mobile saltwater tank and the Nearshore Marine Fish Research Program, according to Kovach. The goal of the program is to provide data for better management of white seabass, California halibut, calico bass, sand bass, spotted bay bass and other inshore species.

Trails council: A panel discussion and public meeting on the recommendations regarding trails in the Santa Monica Mountains has been scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to noon March 28 at the Las Virgenes School District Board Room, 4111 N. Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas.

The meeting revolves around the final summary report of the Santa Monica Mountains Area Recreational Trails Coordination Project. Among the recommendations: Inventory trails and suggest trail signage improvements, as well as identify missing trail linkages, campsites along the Backbone Trail and construction guidelines for new multiple-use tracks.

Information: [phone], ext. 201.

Four-wheelers unite: The California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission will convene Friday at the Glendale City Council Chambers, 613 E. Broadway, beginning at 9 a.m.

The commission encourages off-road enthusiasts to attend; a public comment period will begin at about 11 a.m.

``This is an opportunity to not only meet members of the division staff and OHV commissioners, but also a chance to discuss issues of importance to local OHV clubs and other organizations,'' said Cliff Glidden, deputy director for the state's OHV Division.

Information: [phone].