Stomach Pump

Description

A trout stomach pump (or throat pump) is a small, non-lethal tool fly fishers use to sample a recently caught fish’s last meal and “match the hatch”. Check fish size: Only use the pump on healthy trout larger than 12 inches in cold, well-oxygenated water. Never use it on exhausted or very small fish. Wet the tube thoroughly prior to use.

Cradle the trout upside down in the water to calm it. Then slide the narrow tip carefully into the mouth and down the esophagus until you feel light resistance. You reach the stomach opening and gently squeeze the rubber bulb to draw a small sample of ingested insects.

Empty the contents into your hand, a net, or a glass specimen vial to identify the exact insects the fish is eating.