As I surfed thru this website (new reader) I noticed somewhere interest in scents. I will share some info. from my guiding days. It's best to have separate scent additives for chinook & steelhead. Chinook like chem.s such as sodium sulfite (& really go for certain nitrates in small quantities). Steehead don't like strong chem.'s particularly. Chinook also like scents, as well as colors, in combos. Customized scents for spring King's: I always order large container factory direct scent products from such as Pro-Cure or "Mike's" for assured freshness; and since oil based they can be kept in the freezer indefinitely for periodic use. Two King formulas: 1st- 1/2 herring oil, 1/4 sardine oil, 1/4 anchovie oil, to 2 oz. bottle of this add 1/8 t. sodium sulfite & 1/8 t. MSG (Sun Luck brand best).- 2nd- 1/2 shrimp oil, 1/4 prawn oil, 1/4 crawfish oil, & 1/8th t. of S.S. & MSG per 2oz. Shake them up real well for bait injection or lure cover. OTC products are fine for steelhead; just add a little non-iodized salt &/or sugar for a variant. I will add homemade scent oil info. in followup reply.- Steve Hanson

[This message has been edited by Backbouncer1 (edited 03-06-2000).]

For those that like to make their own custom scents: the best base oil I've ever used is a little known product; Spectrum brand Flax Seed Oil (there are other brands that will work). This is a very refined clean oil that is chuck full of Omega-3 fats (as in fish oils). Get it in health food type stores & drink 1 T. a day to ward off heart disease (equivalent to eating salmon 2 or 3 times a week). Put 8 oz. of this in a CLEANED blender and add a rounde 1/2 t. of powdered sodium sulfite (available from some tackle shops- slightly higher ratio than with OTC bait oils because of no preservatives in flax oil). To this base add whatever bait U want- such as sardine filets, live declawed sandshrimp, salmon eggs; or combos- then grind real well into an oil puree. Keep refridgerated in season & frozen off season- it works! - Steve

[This message has been edited by Backbouncer1 (edited 03-03-2000).]

I forgot to mention the OTC products by Smelly Jelly (Catcher Co.). Most of their scents are sinthetic, but their "Sticky Liquid" is very effective. I therefore think you can legally (& ethically) skirt chumming laws- check Wash. Y2K reg.s first- by putting a liberal amount of their shrimp or egg versions on your anchor & lower couple feet of rope before anchoring over a hole to excite or irritate fish into more strike mode for similar scented baits. Also can put it on lower part of wading boots.- Steve Hanson

Backbouncer1, I am new to this thing about making your own scents and curing eggs. What does OTC & MSG stand for?

OTC stands for "over the counter" stock products such as Pro-Cure or Mike's.- MSG stands for Monosodium-glutimate; as found in Chinese food or Accent meat enhancer. I like Sun Luck brand. It is good for both King fishing scent oils or egg cures. It either is a flavor enhancer as claimed &/or the Kings just like it as they do salt. Steelhead seem indifferent to it.- Steve Hanson (RT)

[This message has been edited by Reel Truth (edited 03-11-2000).]