36 replies to this topic

[NADO]

Worms give roe a run for their money for sure. I always have roe and worms on me and I always seem to gravitate towards the worms.

[CJR]

Beef has a point. Roe isn't the only option. On opener I had success with both trout beads and nymphs and not once needed real roe

Well..opener fish hit everything. Me and dozer hit a large number of fish on just the mesh used to tie roe bags lol

[Rainbow]

Gotta love opener

[CJR]

Can't wait till next

[GoodenTight]

I've seen worms out-fish roe on several occasions.
Yesterday actually!

But presentation is the biggy!
Well presented fake roe will outfish poorly presented fresh roe on certain days.

Somedays the fish can see 100 roe bags drift by in any colour but not give a flip... Then they see a worm and the rest is history.

I always always always have crawlers or dillies with me. always.

[NOTTA STEELER]

Curing roe ( that would be salmon roe as my preferance ) , I place eggs from fish to the river water immediately ...this toughens the outer skin .

Once home I leave them in the fridge for a couple of hours , take out of fridge and drain out all the water ... using a small zip lock bag , I place a small amount of roe in and Borax ( two tablespoons approx
Enough to coat the eggs you've placed in the bag .... leaving some air in the bag , shake it around as to cover all eggs with Borax . Place eggs covered in Borax in container ( I use tupperware ) repeat until container is full .
Once you've filled your containers , place in fridge for at least 24 hours . Remove from fridge and strain out the Borax using distilled or bottled water only , Chlorine will destroy the eggs . A small plastic strainer is good with tiny mesh.

Once drained , place back in container, put lid on tight and back in fridge , no freezing is neccessary ( although you can if you desire ) .

[NOTTA STEELER]

Great DIY post notta.. with pics and all!

Mods may want to sticky just that post for future reference..

I've experimented over the years and have done several different things , Borax is all natural and after being in the fridge for a year without freezing , they still smell like the day I got them. I've even left them in my vest accidently and got pretty warm ... still ...opened the top to smell nice and fresh .

I've done the same thing but in a watered down solution which works too , just not as well . The eggs look natural and they don't white out nearly as fast as not using a cure , therefore you use less roe on drifts and don't have to change the bag. The Borax naturally cleans the eggs and penetrates the membrane to further give it lasting freshness . They bounce if dropped , but when a Steelhead grabs the bag it smashes those eggs with the teeth . Some argue that the eggs should be soft and not bounce , but in nature , when those eggs are laid , the only time they are soft is when the male fertilizes them . Shortly after the eggs water harden and will bounce if you dropped them . They have to stand up to gravel and fish pounding them with their tails , my eggs are the same ...just disinfected .

[TRINIBOY]

Nice tip i will most defanately try out your recipe thoses eggs looked prime. Thanks for posting as it's by far the easiest with you step by step illustration. Cured some in pickling salt. Last year and there still in prime condition but an alternative cure is most welcome. Once I get the chance to harvest a nice loose hen I'll be trying your cure and posting the results

[Captain Barty]

As already mentioned presentation is key for sure.

[fishfight]

Coarse fishing for salmon on pier or bay. This outfish any fresh roe anglers beside me http://i223.photobuc.../IMG_0003-4.jpg

However i normally try to master using lures on deeper water, avoid crowds and site fishing . http://i223.photobuc...m/frontbulk.jpg and http://i223.photobuc...um/bulkback.jpg

For steelhead.... beads http://i223.photobuc...m/troutbead.jpg
During winter months, I use home improvised lures fishing Whirlpool, Port Delhousie, etc http://i223.photobuc...um/DSC00216.jpg

http://i223.photobuc...um/DSC00213.jpg
http://i223.photobuc...rtedjighead.jpg works on steelheads and other fish

Less fish today than 10 years ago, due to too many fish being killed for its roe. Less fish 10 years from now for sure if we do not learn to catch them using other alternative means

[frozenfire]

I only use chinook roe.
In the fall, I generally harvest one chinook hen. It lasts me a year of steelhead fishing.

In my years of river fishing, I have never kept a steelhead or brown.

What roe works best? It doesn't matter. It's all about presentation.

[NOTTA STEELER]

I only use chinook roe.
In the fall, I generally harvest one chinook hen. It lasts me a year of steelhead fishing.

In my years of river fishing, I have never kept a steelhead or brown.

What roe works best? It doesn't matter. It's all about presentation.

Agreed ... I actually only use roe about 30 % of the time , worms at 60 % and artificials in between .

[Maximilian]

I only use chinook roe.
In the fall, I generally harvest one chinook hen. It lasts me a year of steelhead fishing.

In my years of river fishing, I have never kept a steelhead or brown.



What roe works best? It doesn't matter. It's all about presentation.

I only use trout eggs purchased from a trout farm. I only take live chinook eggs. I do find that there is a slight difference in success using different types of eggs however. I do agree presentation is the biggest difference.