O.K. Here's the best herring cure ther is. Period. I've been using this brine on herring ever since I was a kid and it has never failed us yet. This year on the Columbia (Puget Island) out of nine trips, we failed to limit our boat one time and all of our fish were caught on herring that were cured with the following brine: 1/2 Lb. rock salt, One Lg bottle blue food coloring, one gallon water, and one bottle anise oil.... Not anise scented, or imitation anise oil.... It has to be the real thing. Mix everything up together, put a bunch of herring into the mix, and let it sit in the refrigerator for about 24 hrs. before you use it. It turns the herring a bright blue color, and everything on the boat will reak like licorice, but I promise that if you give it a try, you'll catch springers. Good Luck!!!!!!!!