Hi Glenn, I totally agree with you. We have altered the natural landscape in this country to such an extent that someone from a century ago wouldn't recognise it. Catch and release is the one thing allowing many of our more fragile fisheries to survive and it would appear that Fisheries managers are unable or unwilling to make the changes that are so necessary to improve things. The damage we have wrought on this continent in not much more than 200 years, is incredibly difficult to comprehend. Farming practices that belong in a different climate and century still blot the landscape, sustained only by the damming of every river of any size. Anachronistic irrigation methods that see upwards of 90% of the water released from the dams lost. Flood mitigation practices (capturing water in lakes) restricting the spring floods necessary for successful native fish spawning. This is not even touching on de-snagging, salination, carp etc We have really screwed the pooch when it comes to the natural environment in this country. Without kicking the living shit our of Fisheries and the various people we often point fingers at, perhaps the best thing in terms of the direction we as fisherman are now headed, is that a younger generation are starting to make their presence felt. Most of these younger trout fisherman support the efforts of those seeking to repair and improve our native fisheries. The same is happening on the other side of the fence with more and more of the younger native fisherman coming to the same conclusion; that together we have a much stronger chance of improving things for all anglers. Too often in the past we have been fixated on the smaller issues that divide us, instead of focussing on the larger issues that unite us. While this doesn't do much to fix things right now, there does seem to be a growing solidarity amongst the guys who fish for natives and those who fish for trout. If I can give you one positive thing to take from our discussion; it’s that the next generation aren't as dogmatic as the generations that preceded them were. Thanks for the comment. Catch and release is no cure all for incompetent management but it is all that we have for the moment. I am quietly optimistic that we will see some tangible improvements in the years to come. Cheers Antony

You mean this clown?

Hey rob, Glad that you liked it. Me being me, with the undiagnosed OCD, I am continually tinkering and have tried perhaps 20 packs. The Camelbak has been the stand out amongst illustrious competition. The beauty is that it falls in the mid-price point for high end military day packs. drop by when you are next about as I have improved on the lanyard in terms of securing the magnets and the overall look. Half an hour of adjustments and it will be much more robust. Let me know if you are coming up and want to see mine/possibly have me alter yours. There won't be any charge of course as I just want you to have the best set up. Cheers Antony