My grandfather lived his whole life in Sekiu. my Dad was born and raised there, so I think they have seen every concoction there is.
They always used 1 cup borax, one cup powdered milk in a bucket put in sea water and added rock salt until it was a thick slury. They would add either fresh or frozen herring and ice. The herring would keep for a solid week on the back porch and they caught fish big time right out in front of the house.