Fill a large container with 1/2 quart of warm water. Add salt and sugar. Mix thoroughly until well dissolved. Add the remaining 1/2 quart of water.

Immerse prepared fish chunks, filets or small whole fish completely in brine solution. Refrigerate fish in brine solution. Brine chunks of fish of fish 1" thick for about 5 up to 8 hours, 1/2" thick for about 4 hours, and for thinner filets or pieces 2-3 hours.

After brining, always rinse your fish with plenty of fresh water. Pat the fish dry, and allow them to air dry for about 1 hour. This will cause a "pellicle" (a tacky glaze on the fish) to form indicating that it is ready for the drying and smoking process.

courtesy of: starfishcons@starfishcons. Com