OK, if you’re a fan of PETA, this post is not for you.

As you know, I’m all about cheap and highly effective fly fishing gear. If you click on “gear review” at the right end side of the blog, you’ll see other items that I’ve found helpful.

Here’s one: a fish stomach pump. I use it to see on which bugs fish are feeding.

You can always flip over rocks (which I do), or bring a small aquarium sieve to the river (I do that, too). But, what’s in the water may not be what trout are targeting. The best thing is to catch a good-sized fish and then see what’s in its gut.

I don’t pump the stomachs of small fish, nor do I do so in the winter, when food is scarce. Here’s a great Orvis link on “how to.” And, the pump usually lists for around $11. A good investment, in my opinion.

Tight lines for all!

N.B.: The new Cabela’s store in Hudson, MA, along Route 495, just opened. I was there Saturday, and there’s a decent fly fishing section.