Cannibal Brook Trout

[JeffP]

I caught a brookie that had a hook it previously swallowed still stuck in its throat. Like the first person thought it was better to open the swivel and let the fish keep the hook. I considered trying to remove the hook and determined I'd do more harm than good. Then I caught the same brookie with the same hook still stuck in it a week later. I'd like to think leaving the hook was the best move, that it rusted out soon after that, and that it was still trying to eat.

Had a buddy back in the day who would let the brookies digest the worms before setting the hook and just keep cutting his line. He'd have a handful left with hooks in every time we fished. Looking back I wish I had been more direct with him.

 

[mute]

Cool pics. Here's a brown not that much bigger doing the same thing a few months back

 

[wildtrout2]

Cool pics. Here's a brown not that much bigger doing the same thing a few months backView attachment 1641234163View attachment 1641234164

Apparently, it's sheer gluttony. Unique pic for sure.

 

[wcosner2]

Here is a 16in brown that I caught a while back with a huge bullfrog stuck in its mouth. Trout definitely eat whatever looks appetizing once they get big enough.

 

[Solitariolupo]

I wonder if it was stuck or something maybe I should have tried to pull it out, although if the fish was already feeding it was probably fine

You would think that but I’ve caught some fish that hit and you know something was wrong as they just didn’t seem right one I found had a rock in its throat and only took a small fly as that’s probably only what it could eat. Some fish die having another fish stuck in its mouth. Who knows but that would be neat to see.

 

[JeffP]

View attachment 1641234165Here is a 16in brown that I caught a while back with a huge bullfrog stuck in its mouth. Trout definitely eat whatever looks appetizing once they get big enough.

I love this pic!

 

[salmonoid]

I can't find the original article or picture (can't remember if it was in PA Angler or on the PFBC website) but trout eat snakes too... Discussed a few years ago here..

Also, some additional prior discussion from PAFF on the subject matter..

For myself, I've probably caught at least a dozen trout that had eaten other trout or larger baitfish, where the quarry is hanging out of the fish's mouth. I think the one below is my favorite one..

 

[tomgamber]

Way back...Found some variegated light blue and orange chenille in Idaho. Tied buggers with a black tail, sizes 2/4/6. Went to Warm Lake right after they stocked. Great camp sites BTW. They don't necessarily stock "catchable" size trout there. But if you fish anything that even resembles a brookie, from a float tube [or rented canoe (thats a sunburn ill never forget)] in the center of that lake, there are REALLY big rainbows to be had. The rainbows like the stocking truck too.

 

[Jemoca75!]

I always feel bad for the 8 inch smallmouth that regurgitates multiple large shiners as I unhook the fly from its mouth

 

[sandflyx]

heres what I use

 

[blitzinstripes]

Not quite sure if it would be legal but I guarantee you if I tossed a 2-3 inch live brookie under a bobber in some of the deeper holes It would catch some big ones. I would never use a live brookie though, minnows would probably get the same results anyway

A friend of mine developed a very nice little brookie pattern streamer and he's fished it with consistent success.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Before he picked up a fly rod, my youngest boy used a baby trout (brown or rainbow) diving plug and nothing else - to catch trout. It was a tradition to buy a couple every spring at the Walmart where I got my license. He's now fond of using streamers of a similar pattern.