Frozen eggs - help!

Posted by: cohoangler

Frozen eggs - help! - 09/07/01 10:01 AM

A friend just recently gave me some salmon eggs that were frozen but not cured. She didn't know you shouldn't freeze salmon eggs before you cure them. But rather than toss them out, I agreed to try to rescue them.

I've never tried to cure previously frozen eggs but I've heard it's not usually successful. I plan to thaw them slowly and cure them per Big Bob's receipe on this website (water/sugar/salt/borax/Pro-glow dye). But this might not be the best way to handle previously frozen eggs. If anyone has previous experience with this or has any ideas or suggestions on how to proceed, let me know. Thanks.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Frozen eggs - help! - 09/07/01 10:10 PM

Instead of thawing them first and then curing them, I strongly suggest you put them into the curing brine while still frozen. This will thaw and cure them at the same time. This will also prevent further damage to the egg sacks membranes because the sodium in the brine cure will immediately start to toughen them before they thaw too much. After they are thawed, continue to leave them curing in the brine a little longer. Then drain them off and pad dry them down gently with non inked plain white paper towells. Then rack them out to dry and tough before before using; or freezing again. If they seem to be somewhat gooey after this process, including the air drying after the brine thaw/curing, then roll them in borax to further toughen and dry them up for river fishing. Good luck. If you do this correctly the eggs should still fish well.

RT
Posted by: cohoangler

Re: Frozen eggs - help! - 09/08/01 10:11 AM

RT - Thanks for the tip! I will try your suggestion and let you know how it goes.
Posted by: jcw

Re: Frozen eggs - help! - 09/08/01 11:06 AM

Cohoangler,
How do I find the egg cure instructions on the website? I'd like to try it but can't seem to locate it. Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Eddie L

Re: Frozen eggs - help! - 09/08/01 07:58 PM

Here ya go JCW---->
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