OUTPOST.

Fishin' fest: An annual free fly-fishing festival will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Fishermen's Spot, 14423 Burbank Blvd. in Van Nuys.

Exhibit booths featuring products from more than 30 manufacturers, including Sage, Scott, Cortland, Scientific Angler, Orvis and Abel, will be staged in two parking lots.

``We will have a casting area where you can test the latest freshwater and saltwater rods, with company representatives on hand to answer any questions about the product and its features,'' said store co-owner Steve Ellis.

Information: [phone].

Quail Unlimited dinner: Shooting enthusiasts are welcomed by the Santa Clarita Valley chapter of Quail Unlimited to attend its sixth annual dinner banquet and auction at 6 p.m. Saturday at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant, 16320 Raymer Ave. in Van Nuys.

Tickets are $35 and walk-up space is limited, so advance purchase is recommended. Information: [phone].

The nonprofit QU is dedicated to improving habitat for upland birds and other wildlife.

Fly-anglers conference: A daylong fly-fishing seminar by and for women will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Long Beach Casting Club, Seventh Street and Federation Drive in Long Beach. Registration for the Southwest Council Federation of Fly Fishers event is $15 at the door.

``Bring a lunch, soft drink, fly rod and reel and be ready for an opportunity to learn about the sport, improve skills and meet other women anglers,'' said Maggie Merriman, education chairman for the National Federation of Fly Fishers. Loaner rods and reels will be available for beginners.

Information: [phone].

Volunteers needed: Department of Fish and Game marine biologists are seeking experienced anglers who can spend four days this year teaching how to catch, tag and release sand sharks at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. A three-hour training session is being held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the reserve, 600 Shellmaker in Newport Beach. Information: [phone].

The shark camp is a DFG campfire program designed to teach natural history of sharks and rays - along with the catching and tagging of sharks - to youngsters and adult novice anglers. The camps are scheduled April 11, May 30, Aug. 22 and Oct. 17.

Fishy gathering: The Glendora Rod and Reel Club, a non-specialized group with the creed ``We fish for everything,'' hosts meetings every second Wednesday of the month and is seeking new members.

The next get-together is slated for 7 p.m. April 8 at Denny's Restaurant, 546 W. Baseline Road in Glendora. Club events include trout, bass and surf-fishing tournaments, angling charters and an annual banquet, and kids' fishing trips. Information: [phone].

Belly Boaters unite: The annual Spring Special Float Tube Derby will be staged from 7 to 11 a.m. April 4 at Castaic Lagoon.

Entry to the contest, sponsored by Castaic Lake State Recreation Area and Valencia's Sport Chalet, is $35 per angler. Information: [phone].

Young ringers: Michael Snyder of Costa Mesa and Michael Yamashita of Diamond Bar recently landed in the International Game Fish Association record book for juniors with catches made last year.

In the male junior division (ages 11 to 16), Snyder landed an enviable 40-pound white seabass using live bait at Horseshoe Kelp off the coast in May. It's the heaviest caught in the division.

In the male smallfry division (ages 10 and under), Yamashita broke his own world record for rainbow trout by catching a 6.5-pound rainbow on a mini-jig in October at Bishop Creek in the Eastern Sierra. His previous record was 3 pounds.

For further information on record categories for junior anglers, call the IGFA at [phone].

Trout derby: Thousands of trout to 20 pounds, 275 of which will be tagged for cash winnings and other prizes, are set to be stocked at Santa Ana River Lakes for the $100,000 Tagged Fish Extravaganza being held today through Sunday at the Orange County fish-for-a-fee facility.

Tags will be designated for cash payoffs of $5 and greater. Catch 10 tagged fish and be eligible for a drawing for the $100,000 grand prize. Open to all anglers who pay the regular $12 admission fee to the lake, 4060 E. La Palma Drive in Anaheim. Information: [phone].

--- Compiled by Brett Pauly