This weekend

The mackerel run is in full swing, with several head boats beginning daily trips out of Ocean City this week.

The Miss Ocean City and the O.C. Princess are among the boats that will begin daily trips today. The Angler plans to start making daily trips on Saturday.

Trips usually start at 7 a.m. and return in midafternoon. The cost is roughly $25 per person, with rod and reel rentals available. Anglers may bring their own gear.

Be sure to call ahead to check local weather conditions. Fishermen said last Sunday was bad. Saturday and Monday, however, were good days for fishing.

The Angler may be reached in Ocean City at (410) 289-7424, and the O.C. Princess may be reached at (410) 289-0926.

At 2 p.m., Sunday at the Church of the Redeemer parish hall (5603 N. Charles St.) refuge manager John D. Schroer will open the first of two public meetings to discuss the long-range management plan for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

The master plan analyzes the environmental consequences of four alternatives being considered for the refuge: a no-action alternative, one that emphasizes wildlife management, another that emphasizes public use, and the preferred alternative, which combines elements of the others.

The second public meeting will be held March 12 at the Chincoteague Fire House in Chincoteague, Va., at 7 p.m.

Calendar

Saturday: Harford Hooksetters annual flea market at Bel Air American Legion Post 39, 500 Hickory Ave., Bel Air. New and used fishing tackle, motors, boats, handmade lures, electronics, etc. Admission is $1.50 for those 12 and older. For more information, call 879-1697 or 838-2603.

Tuesday: Monthly meeting of the Northwest Chapter of the Maryland Saltwater Sportsfishermen's Association at St. Lawrence Church Hall, 5801 Security Blvd., 7:30 p.m. Scheduled speakers are Al Engler on marine electronics and Oscar Paquette on wreck fishing.

March 15: Essex-Middle River Chapter of MSSA flea market, Commodore Hall, 1909 Old Eastern Ave., Essex, 9 a.m. New and used fishing gear, electronics, door prizes, refreshments, etc.

March 15: Fisherman's flea market sponsored by Reisterstown Moose Lodge 1577, 1101 Westminster Pike, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Door prizes, new and used equipment, tackle, crafts and boats. For information, call 876-6511 or 833-4209.

Planning ahead

March 16: DNR Wildlife Division public meeting on proposed 1992-93 hunting and trapping seasons, bag limits and regulations for upland game, furbearers and forest game. 7 p.m. Mount Savage Fire Hall, Foundry Row, Mount Savage.

March 17: DNR Wildlife Division public meeting on proposed 1992-93 hunting and trapping seasons, bag limits and regulations for upland game, furbearers and forest game. 7 p.m. Loch Raven High School, 1212 Copwens Ave., Towson.

March 19: DNR Wildlife Division public meeting on proposed 1992-93 hunting and trapping seasons, bag limits and regulations for upland game, furbearers and forest game. 7 p.m. District Court Multi-purpose Center, first-floor conference room, 201 Baptist St., Salisbury.

March 20: DNR Wildlife Division public meeting on proposed 1992-93 hunting and trapping seasons, bag limits and regulations for upland game, furbearers and forest game. 7 p.m. Department of Natural Resources, C-1 conference room, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis.

March 21-22: Anglers' Sport and Fishing Expo sponsored by the Anglers of the Miles River Yacht Club. Exhibitors from Talbot County and other areas of the Eastern Shore will be displaying and selling fishing tackle, new and used boats, services of guides and outfitters, marinas, marine supplies, sports clothing, etc. Miles River Yacht Club, west of St. Michaels.

March 21: Friends of Big Hunting Creek dinner at the American Legion Hall in Thurmont. 7 p.m. (cash bar at 5 p.m.). $12.50 per person. For information, call (301) 447-6278.

March 22: Fisherman's flea market sponsored by the Pleasant Hill Fire Co. and the Northern Maryland Bass Masters, Pleasant Hill Fire Co., Hanover Pike, four miles north of Manchester, Md. Door prizes, boats, new and used tackle. For information, call (717) 632-5010 or (410) 239-3152.

March 25: Maryland Fly Anglers monthly meeting at Ridge Gardens Apartments community hall on Old Harford Road. 7 p.m. Featured speaker will be Lefty Kreh. The public is invited. For information, call (410) 825-2695.

March 26: Public meeting at the Bel Air library to discuss regulations on baits and tackle that may be used in the Susquehanna River in the Conowingo Dam area. 6 p.m.

Names and places

* Zebra mussels, in case you didn't know, are illegal to transport or possess under an emergency regulation that became law on Nov. 11. Under the regulation: Boats and trailers should be washed down with water at least 120 degrees F; trapped water should be removed from buckets, bilges, live wells and even the engine-cooling system. All wet areas should be allowed to dry completely.

While on the subject of the zebra mussel, scientists from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia will begin studies next month to determine whether the lower Susquehanna River or the Potomac River show any evidence of infestation.

* Operation Bass Inc. has canceled the remaining tournaments on its Golden Blend Diamond Invitational schedule for lack of interest.

* West Marine, one of the largest boating supply outfits in the country, has opened a new store in the Bay Ridge Plaza, on Forest Drive in Annapolis. The location's grand opening is Saturday and Sunday.

* The Fenwick basic fly casting schools, to be taught by Dr. James Gilford in Frederick, will be May 16-17, June 13-14, July 11-12 and Aug. 8-9. Advanced classes and individual instruction are available by special arrangement. For information, call (301) 663-3966.

* Six hunting guides on the Eastern Shore have been charged with illegal hunting, as the result of investigations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Natural Resources.

The most serious violations were hunting beyond daily bag limits and wanton waste of migratory game birds.

Those charged are: Clarence Temple Rhodes III, Centreville; Roy Wilson Belcher, Stevensville; Robert Charles Haddaway II, St. Michaels; Thomas Joseph Baynard, St. Michaels; Stephen Anthony Myers, Tilghman; and Alan Thomas Poore Jr., Bozman.

To have an item or question included in the Outdoor Journal, write Outdoors Editor, Baltimore Sun Sports Department, 501 North Calvert St., Baltimore, Md., 21278.