Full senko found in trout's stomach

I caught a few hold over trout this past weekend and while inspecting the contents of the second fish's stomach (like any self respecting fly fisherman) I found a nasty surprise...a wacky rigged senko plastic worm which had found a permanent home in the fish's stomach. The fish was about 12" long and the plastic worm was about 4" long.  It was obvious that the bait had been in there a while, and that it wasn't going anywhere. 

A good reminder to always dispose of plastic baits in the proper place, and to limit use if possible. This stuff stays around for quite a while.

I caught a rainbow last fall that had a full size plastic worm in it's stomach, along with snails, and some other unrecognizable aquatic life.

Yeah.  This fish had a lot of caddis pupae in its stomach, but the second fish looked like it was subsisting off salad, e.g. milfoil.  Weird that a trout would decide to eat plastic worms.  I wonder if they bit them off the hook or picked them off the bottom after they fell off the hook?

I got one today on American Lake with a worm in it's stomach.

I've inadvertently caught quite a few trout while fishing with soft plastics for bass, it's unfortunate that these guys ended up with them stuck in their bellies.

I've been bank fishing  several times lately. It's amazing the amount of junk like beads, corkies, plastic worms laying all over. I can't imagine it's not ending up inside some fish and other animals. I try to pick up more than I lose myself, at least. Then there is the stuff that's intentionally littered, a whole other story.

I've inadvertently caught quite a few trout while fishing with soft plastics for bass, it's unfortunate that these guys ended up with them stuck in their bellies.

This!  Trout are not picky eaters.  Anything they can fit in their mouths will do (which is why I, a thoroughly self-respecting and dedicated fly-flinger, would never bother to pump their stomachs or cut them open to see what they're eating). 

Interesting that both the photos in this thread show trout that have eaten senkos...I wonder if there is a trend there?  Maybe they should look into biodegradable micro-senkos for trout?

I believe Berkley Gulp! baits are biodegradable.  Or just claim to be.

Looks like Gulp! baits biodegrade after about 2 years in salt water, or 8-10 months in an aerobic landfill.  Super interesting. 

Here is a write up on biodegradable baits from 2015...I wonder what advancements have been made in the meantime?  Really cool stuff!  Encouraged to hear that others are stuffing their pockets full of discarded (intentionally or inadvertently) gear too...I always end up with a ball if fishing line, a sinker or two, and beads, etc. after a day walking local rivers.

https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/biodegradable-fishing-lures-mhg-plastics/