Learn to Cure the Perfect Egg for Late Fall Coastal Salmon

By: Mick Thomas

I’ve been curing eggs for more than five decades, possibly longer. And, one thing people always ask me is how I like to cure my eggs. Keep in mind, I guide on coastal systems, which require me to use a different size and texture than those fishing inland rivers. The type of salmon egg I cure isn’t for everyone. Meanwhile, it will be effective for anyone fishing coastal systems from Northern California to BC.

Personally, I prefer my salmon eggs a little wetter. That’s because these are to be drifted for salmon. I don’t like to dry to my salmon egg like I do the steelhead eggs. This is for the simple reason that I like them to milk and create a scent trail. With a little wetter egg you get a better scent trail. The vehicle I use to create that scent trail is Fire Cure. Red is my go-to color. Your choice might be different, but this is what I’m confident in. I’ve been doing it daily in the fall for two decades and it works for my clients, and I.

The Coastal Cure

Step 1: Butterfly Your Eggs

Butterflying skeins is straightforward. The only thing to remember is to scrape the blood out of the veins so you have nice, clean eggs to work with. To end up with good eggs you need to start with good eggs.

Step 2: Time to Cure

Curing eggs is the easy part. However, it’s important you let the cure do its job after applying it. I like to put the Fire Cure on first, and then add my scents after I put the eggs in the bag. Remember, less is more. You have to use the Fire Cure sparingly because it’s a hot cure. Lightly sprinkle it on. Don’t use too much. If you do it will turn a deep, dark purple. I don’t want that color. I want them red. I’m sure you are wondering how much cure to use. I like to call it lightly salt and pepper it and you got the perfect combo. Just like food.

Step 3: Add Scent

Adding scent to your egg cure is something overlooked by anglers. I prefer to add oils, namely Atlas Mike’s Shrimp, Herring & Sardine Lunker Oil. You can mix them, but I prefer to make individual batches. Sometimes they’ll hit one better than the others. The purpose of adding scent to your egg cure is you put more scent in the water. I squeeze an entire bottle of Lunker Oil in my bag or jar when curing two king skeins. I don’t want a little dab. I want a lot to assist that scent trail. Sometimes shrimp is the ultimate scent and other times is herring or sardine.  It will change daily. This is why I don’t mix them. I want to know what’s working that day.

 

Step 4: Give the Cure Time

I like to leave my eggs in the cure for 24 hours. The eggs draw the moisture out of the eggs and creates a mixture of liquid. That liquid cures the eggs evenly. The liquid in the bag or whatever container you used is normal. Don’t panic and don’t pour it out until the curing process is done.

Step 5: Remove Liquid

At the end of the 24 hours take the eggs out of the liquid and let them air dry. I’m lazy and don’t let them dry long. I just let them drip dry for a little bit, discard the juice and drop the eggs back in the bag.

Pieces: Big or Small?

The debate will go on forever as to what size egg cluster to use. I use about 50 cent piece of roe. Remember these are coastal streams. The reason I use that size bait is because the water is normally clearer on the coast. You want a smaller bait so it doesn’t look like a beach ball flowing down the river.

Editor’s Note: Salmon & steelhead fishing guide Mick Thomas has been guiding for more than four decades. To book one of his guided salmon trips please call (707) 954-0352