OUTPOST.

Angler recognition: The International Game Fish Association recognized regional record catches by two anglers while two others were honored by In-Fisherman magazine.

In its current newsletter, International Angler, the IGFA notes the 21-1/2-pound shovelnose guitarfish caught last September by Robert B. Young off Manhattan Beach as a new all-tackle mark for the species. Also listed as a new fly-rod standard in the 20-pound tippet class is the 15-1/2-pound white seabass landed by Patt Wardlaw off Carpinteria in August.

In its April edition, In-Fisherman presents the Master Anglers Awards honoring readers who submitted catches for consideration as largest species landed in 1996. Kirk McKay of Winnetka was lauded for catching and releasing 49-, 44 and 43.5-inch flathead catfish last July in California's stretch of the Colorado River. Nick Hall of Placentia made the list for catching and releasing a 36-1/4-inch carp at Puddingstone Lake in October.

Absolute Pero: Thomas R. Pero, editor and publisher of Wild Steelhead & Atlantic Salmon magazine, is the guest speaker at tonight's dinner meeting of the Sierra Pacific Flyfishers.

A reception for Pero begins at 6:30 at Encino Glen, 16821 Burbank Blvd. in Encino. Dinner starts at 7:30.

Pero's program, ``Steelhead Between the Moon and the Deep-Blue Sea,'' details the life of the sea-run rainbow trout via a visual tour of Oregon's North Umpqua River, British Columbia's Dean River and many streams in between.

Guests are welcome. To reserve a seat for the $22 dinner, call [phone].

Shooting event: The National Sporting Clays Association California State Championships are taking place today through Sunday at Whiteside's Sporting Clays within the Antelope Valley Sportsman's Club, 45408 160th St. West in Lancaster.

More than 225 entrants will compete. Spectators are welcome. Information: [phone].

Open house: The Department of Fish and Game and the Metropolitan Water District have put a twist in asking for public comment in designing a world-class fishery at what will be Southern California's largest reservoir.

When filled by the year 2003, Eastside Reservoir south of Hemet will be lined by 25 miles of shoreline and coves, cover 4,500 surface acres and hold 260 billion gallons of water. It is a $1.9 billion project, and officials are committed to making it a fishing attraction, hence the need for suggestions on fish-habitat improvements, shoreline modifications and what aquatic species to stock.

To facilitate the process, an open house is taking place at the construction site from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Eastside Reservoir Project Visitors Center. To get there from Riverside, take the Escondido Freeway (215) south, exit at Highway 74 east, then drive south on Highway 79 through Winchester. Turn left on Domenigoni Parkway, right on State Street and right on Newport Road. Follow signs to the site.

Information: [phone].

Cat plant: Ventura County's Lake Casitas is being stocked today with more than 2,800 channel catfish at an average weight of one pound. Several lunkers of 10 pounds and heavier will also be planted. Information: [phone].

Earth Day: Boaters and anglers can do their part to reduce ocean pollutants on Saturday, in observance of Earth Day, by keeping all trash on board until reaching land, making sure all fishing line makes it back to port and picking up shoreside liter.

Calling all outdoorswomen: Registration for the 150 slots available during the DFG's popular workshop ``Becoming an Outdoors Woman'' must be postmarked by Tuesday. Sign-up packets may be requested by calling [phone].

The agency's Southern California program is slated for June 13-15 at Rancho Alegre Boy Scout Camp, adjacent to Santa Barbara County's Lake Cachuma. Cost for the event is $175 and includes the basics of fly- and baitfish-angling, outdoor cooking, map and compass reading, shotgun and rifle safety and operation, camping, hiking and big-game, upland-game and waterfowl hunting.

The Northern California program is scheduled for September.

Bass news: Using Robo ``Zipper'' and Iovino plastic worms, James Niggemeyer of Glendale and Ron Smith of Castaic captured top honors during Saturday's WON BASS-Southern California Region team tournament at Lake Cachuma. The pair topped a field of 92 with a seven-fish limit of largemouths weighing 16.89 pounds for a purse of $1,280.

Second place and $2,325, including side options, went to Chris Weir of Castaic and Edgar Uyema of West Hills for their limit haul of 16.55 pounds. Jim Olivarez of Anaheim and La Habra's Frank King took third and $1,790 on their limit that scaled out at 15.60 pounds.

The team of Carol Martens of West Hills and Val Verde's Brad Haney hefted the tourney's biggest fish to the weigh-in station - a 5.22-pounder worth $460.

Talking turkey: The National Rifle Association is offering a free turkey-hunting booklet that includes tips on roosting habits, what camouflage to don, bird identification and best calling techniques. Information: [phone].

National Park Week: In observance of National Park Week, slated Monday through April 27, the National Park Service has issued a few facts about the country's 374 National Parks.

They are home to:

The tallest mountain in North America - Mount McKinley (20,320 feet) in Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve.

The lowest point in the Western Hemisphere - Death Valley National Park (minus 282 feet).

The deepest lake in America - Oregon's Crater Lake National Park (1,932 feet).

Event and volunteer information: [phone].