Any salmon fishermen here? I'd like your eggs!

[LunarOne]

Many many years ago, I was given a salmon by a friend who had returned from a fishing trip. Upon opening it up to gut it, I discovered that she had a skein full of eggs. Not really knowing what to do with them, I removed them from the skein, rinsed them and put them in some brine for 24 hours before tasting them, and the result was salmon caviar that tasted very close to what I know of as Ikura or Keta caviar. I've since learned that my process was a simplistic but workable version of the established method.

So finally to the point. I'm sure there must be a decent number of salmon fishermen on PH and I'm wondering whether any of you ever catch salmon containing eggs? If so, what do you do with them? If they're not to your taste, will you sell them to me?I gather that salmon spawning season is November/December so it's probably too late for this year, but I'd be very interested. Likewise if you know a good commercial source of prepared salmon caviar at reasonable prices, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks!

[Big Al.]

Most of the Salmon fishing carried out these days is catch and release, as wild Salmon stocks are in the decline.

[LunarOne]

When you say "most", does that mean that some people still fish to take home a wild salmon or two? Does it depend on the location or the licence or just good sportsmanship?

[Big Al.]

I haven't fished now for the last 20 years, and mainly in Ireland, back in the early 00'ies they place a two limit fish quota per day per person, prior to that it was catch and take as many as you could carry, carnage really, and stocks eventually couldn't sustain the demand. You will find that some fishermen these days will take their allowance, but majority I would say fish catch and release.

I honestly don't thing you'll get many offers to supply you salmon roe, just too much faffing around Ice boxes packing shipping etc for very little return, You could try a commercial suppler but again it would depend on what volums you require.

Some stuff on fishing from Ireland might throw some light on you quest.

https://fishinginireland.info/salmon/northwest/riv...

HTH.

[LunarOne]

Very useful Al, thank you! I was hoping that someone within an hour of West London might have some and be ready to throw them out, and I's go and collect them to save them from the bin!