OUTPOST.

Writer retires: Longtime outdoors writer Bill Beebe has retired from writing his column at the Santa Monica Outlook to dedicate more time to his family - and fishing.

A mainstay at the Outlook for 40 years, the final article by Beebe, 69, of Los Angeles, appeared on Sunday.

``My profession has been my hobby, and not too many guys can say that,'' said Beebe, who began his journalism career in 1948 as a staff shooter at a Santa Monica news photo agency. He went on to work at the Mirror News for a decade and at the Los Angeles Times for four years before joining the Outlook.

During the 1950s, Beebe began free-lancing outdoor stories. He has been a contributor to Western Outdoors News for 43 years, most notably with his weekly column, ``Beebe Shots.''

Beebe plans to spend more time with his wife, Sonya, and two grandchildren, aboard his fishing boat, El Pelon, and to contemplate writing a book.

Fly-anglers unite:Free-lance writer and fly-fishing expert Eric Pettine, a Colorado dentist, will lecture during tonight's meeting of the Sierra Pacific Flyfishers at Encino Glen, 16821 Burbank Blvd., Encino.

``Dentistry sharpens my hands for fly-tying, and fly-tying makes me a more nimble dentist,'' Pettine said.

Nonmembers can attend the meeting free of charge. To reserve a spot for the $22 dinner, as well, call the restaurant at [phone].

A little night fishing: An after-dark team bass angling tournament will be held Saturday at Castaic Lagoon.

Hosted by Friends of Lake Castaic, the contest will begin at 7 p.m., with sign-ups from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the main launch ramp. No live bait will be allowed. Anglers will vie for more than $1,000 in prize monies.

The entry fee is $100 per two-person team. Information: [phone].

All in the family: The sixth annual Imogene Vest Family Fishing Derby will take place Saturday at Lake Piru.

Categories vary from minnows, ages 3 to 5, to seniors 55 and older. Fees range from free for minnows to $35 for families. All proceeds in the Soroptimist International of Fillmore-sponsored contest go to the Imogene Vest Memorial Scholarship, which provides a graduating senior at Fillmore High School a $1,000 stipend.

The $500 grand prize will be awarded to the angler who catches a trout bearing the designated tag. Information: [phone]. Boat rentals: [phone]. Camping: [phone].

Kids benefit: Although Saturday's Castaic Lake fishing tournament was canceled due to high winds, most of the participants at the fourth annual Bassing for Abused Kids event refused to take back their entry fees. As a result, a record $21,775 was raised for Royal Family Kids Camps and the Santa Clarita Valley Child and Family Development Center.

In the the kids' trout derby, the winners were: James Maldonado II, 3, of Canyon Country, and Gregory Voorhees, 5, of Chatsworth (tie), in the 5 and under category; Miranda Martinez, 9, Long Beach, ages 6 to 10; and Marc Stockland, 12, Castaic, ages 11 to 15.

Back(bone)-breaking hike: Representatives of the National Park Service and California State Parks will traverse the Santa Monica Mountains' Backbone Trail Monday through April 28 to celebrate National Parks Week.

The trek will start at Topanga State Park and run through Malibu Creek State Park, Rocky Oaks, Circle X Ranch and on to Point Mugu State Park.

The group will stop April 28 between Chamberlan Rock and Blue Creek Trail to tackle some trail work in honor of California State Park Trail Day.

``March for Parks'':More than 1,000 events in all 50 states are planned by the National Parks and Conservation Association Friday through Monday in observance of Earth Day (Monday). The program will raise funds and awareness for public lands issues such as trail maintenance and land acquisition.

Locally, a corporate golf challenge at Sinaloa Golf Course and a fun run and tug-a-war at Rancho Simi Community Park are planned Saturday in Simi Valley - information: [phone]; volunteers will refurbish and modernize the Placerita Canyon Nature Center in Newhall on Saturday - information: [phone]; and, on Sunday, workers will enhance children's programming at the Eaton Canyon Natural Area in Pasadena, information: [phone].

For other locations, call the NPCA at [phone], ext. 236, and provide the zip code, town or specific park at which you wish to work.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: BEEBE