I'm an Expert Trout Stretcher and These are the Basic Mistakes You Are Making When You Stretch Trout at Home

An expert is sounding the alarm about the costly mistakes people are making in the increasingly popular field of trout stretching.  The cost of living crisis has made more people turn toward trout stretching as a means to make the average trout go further, but employing the wrong techniques, or even the wrong trout, could quickly spell disaster for the average home trout stretcher.  Spotting the most elementary mistakes in trout stretching is vital if one is to avoid the pitfalls which could lead to a compromised trout.  Bert Burkeson, a fully qualified expert trout stretcher at Trout International Corporation has shared the most common signs that your trout stretching endeavours are likely to go wrong in a new YouTube video.

"The most obvious mistake that people make is using the wrong sort of fish" he says.  "You'd be amazed at how many people think that any old fish will do - 'well, they all have scales, so must be the same', they seem to think.  But remember, this is trout stretching we're talking about, not salmon stretching, or halibut stretching and certainly not mackerel stretching.  The other day I even saw a video on TikTok where some guy was trying to stretch a sea bass using trout stretching techniques and wondering why it wouldn't work!  I ask you!"  

Bert has also warned against attempting to stretch supermarket bought trout.

"Such fish are typically prepared by cutting off their heads and tails before sale, rendering them completely unsuitable," he cautions.  "If a trout is to be successfully stretched, then it must be freshly caught and whole, otherwise it will have no integrity and simply tear apart during the process."

Ensuring that you use the correct equipment is also vital, says Bert.

"You should only ever attempt to stretch trout using a specially manufactured trout stretching deck which can securely hold the two ends of the fish during the process," he says.  "I'm afraid that tying a piece of string to the tail, then securing the other end to a doorknob, then tying a second string around the head and securing its other end to a radiator on the opposite wall, as advocated in some instagram posts, gently pulling the door open and shut to facilitate stretching, just won't work.  The fish simply won't be held securely or rigidly enough and the stretching motion will be insufficient for an even stretch." 

Expanding on this point, Bert has emphasised the importance of employing the correct technique, even when using the recommended equipment.

"The biggest mistake of the novice trout stretcher is over eagerness," he opines.  "They go in there impatient to get the trout stretched as quickly as possible and wonder why they end up with a torn trout.  Patience is the key.  Once the fish has been securely mounted on the stretching deck, it is essential that the maximum stretch is set correctly, based upon the length and girth of the fish - over-stretching will yield sub-standard results.  Once this has been set, the stretching cranks need to be operated in unison and very slowly - preferably at the rate of only one-eight of an inch turn every hour for the best results.  Too fast will adversely effect the flavour of the stretched trout."

Bert guarantees that following these simple guidelines will ensure success for any amateur trout stretcher - even novices.