New Columbia Titanium Backpack

Above are pictures of the New Columbia Titanium Backpack. I've taken it out a few times on a hike and a bike ride. It's a very impressive day pack and I think I'm going to enjoy many more trips with it. Let me hit it's highs and lows:

Highs

• Highly accessible. There are convenient pockets on the outside of the bag along with a (dare I say) fanny pack attached to the belt. The zippers on the bottom and top of the bag can hold small objects like a map, compass or snacks and are even accessible with the bag on!
  
• Incredibly comfortable. It's a very light bag and the belt takes most of the pressure off of the shoulders.
• Well compartmentalized. Pockets, pockets, pockets; they are everywhere on the inside and the out. This bag is excellent for day trips where you may have a lot of gadgets, snacks and loose clothes for layering. There is a place for everything!
• Super stylish. It's a good looking bag, especially with the dome like appearance created by the aqua blue poles. The material is light, resilient and attractive.

Lows

• Very small. This is a day pack only. There is not a lot of room in the bag outside of the pocketed areas. When I took it on a camping trip I was able to fit my sandals, a shirt, rain pants and some loose gear in it and it was full.
• High belt. The belt clips around my stomach. It's a small bag so it isn't a problem, just a little awkward at first.
• Pole endurance. The poles on the outside of the bag are working well, but I am concerned about their longevity. As long as they continue to stay soft and pliable the bag will be fine.

I can't find the Titanium Backpack online anywhere, so I do believe this pack is currently in the test market. I think Bass Pro would do well to add this pack to their line up when it comes out on the market. It's a great pack for day hikes and I think you'll enjoy it.

Niangua Camping Trip

I just finished three days and two night at the Niangua River in Lebanon, Missouri. It was a good trip. Pat, Ben and I stayed at the NRO Camp Ground and rented kayaks through them. It was a good deal. The kayaks were $30 and two nights camping came with it.
The trout fishing was tough! We found one really good section on the river. We caught two trout there and another one a ways down. I believe it was at least a mile and a half from the Bennett Springs entrance into the river. Pat was using an ultra light with a tiny Rapalla and he only caught one small bass. If fishing was the primary focus, than the trip was a bust. Thank goodness there were other benefits! The weather was gorgeous, the river was beautiful and the company was excellent.
In retrospect, I should have begged NRO to drop us off at Bennett. They took us three miles up which, even in kayaks, was a haul to the Bennett area. You won't find any trout up from that area as the water is too warm. I also think I would have fished the sweet spots harder and pushed through everything else without fishing it. The riffles, eddies and deep pools are trout feeding areas- not long stretches of calm water.
Later this week I'm going to post a critique of the Columbia Titanium Daypack. A friend from Bass Pro sent it to me and asked for some feedback. I'll include some pictures and initial observations. For more Niangua pictures check out my facebook feed: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=318568&id=527555092&l=6a7aff7e56