OUTPOST.

Bass class: ``Introduction to Bass Fishing in Southern California'' will include seasonal and behavioral patterns of bass, fishing-equipment selection, basic angling technique and conservation. It will be offered at College of the Canyons in Valencia starting Tuesday.

The class will run from 6:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. and continue at the same time on consecutive Tuesdays through Oct. 1.

Taught by bass-fishing guide Ron Cervenka, the course will feature bait demonstrations at the campus swimming pool.

Cost is $55, enrollment is limited. Registration: [phone], ext. 304.

The last bass: Gary Harrison and Mike Carpenter of Canyon Country topped a series-high field of 106 teams on Aug. 24 to win the final of three Friends of Castaic Lake Night Bass Classic benefit tournaments at Castaic Lake.

The tourney regulars landed a five-fish limit of largemouth bass - including a tourney-best 7.92-pounder - for a total of 16.64 pounds to earn $3,465 in winnings.

Second-place went to Chuck McKee of Tustin and Doug Kraft of Anaheim with 15.43 pounds of bucketmouths for $2,105. Brad Haney of Val Verde and Bill Pauline of Reseda tilted the scales at 14.23 pounds for $925.

The series raised $11,360 for Friends of Castaic Lake, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the fish habitat and facilities at the lake.

The 1996 Friends of Castaic Lake Night Team Open will be held Oct. 5.

Rare catch: A Labor Day trip aboard the Patriot out of San Diego's H&M Landing yielded 40 bigeye tuna in the 60- to 100-pound class.

The bite 70 miles south of San Diego was the year's first extensive catch of bigeye, the rarest of the region's tuna - a species known for its tremendous fighting ability, which is on par to that of its more common cousin the yellowfin.

When fishing is wide open, bigeye tuna can even hit alongside the boat. The voracious feeders have been seen jumping out of the water to gobble baited hooks before the line is even cast.

The last major bite of bigeye was in the late 1980s.

Boating safety: The San Fernando Valley Power Squadron, a division of the U.S. Power Squadron that has been teaching boating classes locally for 40 years, will offer two, eight-session safe-boating courses.

On Tuesday at 7 p.m.. a class will begin in Room 3 of the Balboa Sports Center, 17015 Burbank Blvd. in Encino. Information: [phone] or [phone].

And on Sept. 18, a course will start in Room 202 of Golden Oaks School, 25015 Newhall Ave. in Newhall. Information: [phone].

Sail away: A program designed to introduce sailing to landlubbers in an affordable manner has been initiated by the National Sailing Industry Association.

A call to a toll-free number, [phone], will provide a listing of local instructors, found in Northridge, Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Oxnard and Big Bear Lake. Recreationalists can take advantage of free 30-minute lessons.

``Sailing is much more accessible than most people believe,'' said Arlene Sloan, executive director of NSIA. ``We encourage people of all ages to find out why almost 4 million Americans sail.

``This program is the best way to learn what sailing has to offer. As a recreational activity, it opens up numerous options for outdoor fun, whether it be competitive racing, cruising vacations or weekend relaxation with family and friends.

Swimming news: The Glendale YWCA, 735 E. Lexington Dr. in Glendale, offers a free water-exercise class for women who have had breast surgery. The one-hour class is designed by physicians to help women regain flexibility and strength in their upper bodies. Information: [phone].

Running event: The Run to Cure Paralysis, a fund-raising event that benefits the Paralysis Project of America, will wind through Century City on Sunday.

A 5K run and a fun walk will start at 8 a.m.; a 10K run and a wheelchair 10K begins at 8:30 a.m., and a kiddie 1K commences at 9:30 a.m. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. at the starting line, in front of Century City Shopping Center on Santa Monica Boulevard, west of Avenue of the Stars.

The nonprofit Paralysis Project of America raises money for spinal cord-injury research. Information: [phone].

Sage advice: Applications for the two-day sage grouse hunt in Inyo and Mono counties must be received by the Department of Fish and Game no later than 5p.m. on Monday.

The hunt will again have a one-bird per hinter limit during the Oct. 5-6 season. There will be one hunt in northern Mono County and a second hunt in southern Mono County and northern Inyo County. Hunters can apply for one of the two eastern Sierra hunts.

Hunters can either apply on a standard postcard or via the Internet. Hunters who use a postcard, must submit a card with their name, address, phone number, hunting license number and which of the two hunts they prefer. Internet users should go to the DFG's homepage at http://www.dfg.ca.gov. The on-screen instructions are simple.

Information: DFG, [phone].

Long-distance information: Sam Mihara, a member of the Long Beach Fishing Club who specializes in finding affordable out-of-area angling, will speak about Alaskan fly-fishing Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Real Cheap Sports, 36 W. Santa Clara St. in Ventura.

The photographer's lecture will be complemented by more than 200 slides of arctic grayling, arctic char, Dolly Varden, rainbow trout and Alaska's five species of salmon. Mihara will also recommend fishing locations, camps, lodging, equipment and other money-saving tips, as well as demonstrate tying simple, effective flies.

Information: [phone].

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PHOTO Free sailing lessons are offered through a National S ailing Industry Association program.

Billy Black / Special to the Daily News