01-11-2006, 10:13 PM
[cool][#0000ff]This is a good time to collect trout and perch roe for use in open water in the spring. We have had some chatter on curing and using roe before. If you use your search button you can probably find a couple of posts from the past.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Simply put, you should not cure the roe before you freeze it. At least I have better results by freezing it fresh and then processing it just before use. Put it in small plastic bags and squeeze all of the air out before freezing. Add a few drops of water if necessary, but not much.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The day before you plan to use it, thaw it at room temp (no microwaves, unless you like roe popcorn). When it is pliable, use a SHARP knife or a pair of scissors to cut the egg skeins into bait sized pieces. Spread them on a paper towel and then sprinkle them lightly with borax (laundry product). That will cure the eggs. Some guys like to also sprinkle on a little (non-iodized) salt and either white or brown sugar. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are commercially prepared roe cure mixes, with some including red coloring and all that. Not necessary, but a good product for curing salmon and steelhead roe for fishing for those species. The borax is the main curing element in all roe cures.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You can fish the roe "berries" on a treble hook, with or without wrapping a few turns of sewing thread to help hold it on. Some folks tie them up in the little mesh bags, but it is good to have a few eggs hanging loose.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The perch eggs make great catfish caviar.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]By the way, you can use any gamefish roe, but you can't take roe from "prohibited" species...like June Suckers, Pikeminnows, exotic chubs, etc. You also can't take the roe from a trout and then release it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Simply put, you should not cure the roe before you freeze it. At least I have better results by freezing it fresh and then processing it just before use. Put it in small plastic bags and squeeze all of the air out before freezing. Add a few drops of water if necessary, but not much.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The day before you plan to use it, thaw it at room temp (no microwaves, unless you like roe popcorn). When it is pliable, use a SHARP knife or a pair of scissors to cut the egg skeins into bait sized pieces. Spread them on a paper towel and then sprinkle them lightly with borax (laundry product). That will cure the eggs. Some guys like to also sprinkle on a little (non-iodized) salt and either white or brown sugar. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are commercially prepared roe cure mixes, with some including red coloring and all that. Not necessary, but a good product for curing salmon and steelhead roe for fishing for those species. The borax is the main curing element in all roe cures.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You can fish the roe "berries" on a treble hook, with or without wrapping a few turns of sewing thread to help hold it on. Some folks tie them up in the little mesh bags, but it is good to have a few eggs hanging loose.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The perch eggs make great catfish caviar.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]By the way, you can use any gamefish roe, but you can't take roe from "prohibited" species...like June Suckers, Pikeminnows, exotic chubs, etc. You also can't take the roe from a trout and then release it.[/#0000ff]
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