RE: West Hunters, do you use water purification systems?
Well those boys aren't too bright, but I think most bacteria in a stream that's running good are probably moving with the water for the most part so I'd think it'd be a crap shoot to get caught with a bug? I've drank from streams for twenty plus years no problem. I also try and drink where it falls over a rock that isn't mossy if possible. Mother nature does have her own purifiers too.
My two cents...