How do you dig Clams?

[Charlie]

Hello all:

I've lived a sheltered life. I have only the slightest idea on how to dig clams. We leave on Sunday for two weeks in the PNW. I know that you need a shovel and a bucket and that it is better at low tide but . . . How do you know where to dig? Do you have to sift through all the dirt that you dig up? I know there are alot of PNW people on this board so I would appreciate any help.

[GordMay]

How to Dig Razor Clams: WDFW - Razor Clamming in Washington State

Digging for East Coast Quahogs is a lot easier than for the West Coast Razors - Simply probe the sand with your foot until you feel a quahog, then reach down and pull it up with your hand.

[delmarrey]

Shovels are old school.

We use the tube http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/razorclm/razor7.htm

We made our own, a 4" pipe about 16" long with a T-handle extended up another 16".

You find the little dimple put the tube around it and force it down with your foot. Twist a couple times and pull up. And dump out the sand. Wa La!

The PROBLEM IS finding the legal spots and at the right time of the year. There is a lot of privately owned waterfront........._/)

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishcorn.htm

[Intentional Drifter]

You might also find this FAQ helpful: WDFW - Shellfish:Clam and Oyster information

Don't limit yourself to razor clams, though. Yummy though they are, the same can be said for several other species, and much easier to get. Manilas and littlenecks eat just fine, too. Cleaning is essential, though. You don't want to bite down on sand.

ID

[DeepFrz]

Best way I have found is go to a restaurant recommended by the locals and order them. Then all you need do is dig some money out of your pocket after enjoying a great meal. Course the way you have been digging money out of your pocket to fix up that lovely boat it should be almost automatic...

[Charlie]

Yeah all the digging I've been doing to fix the boat up means I better find some clams to dig up 'cause I can't afford the resturaunts. Not to mention I think the kids (and me) will enjoy harveting our own food.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Charlie

Yeah all the digging I've been doing to fix the boat up means I better find some clams to dig up 'cause I can't afford the resturaunts.

Wait until you see the price of the fishing license.

[Evan]

Bare hands - if you're not after razor clams; they are fast diggers. Seriously you can do that with butter clams etc. They are slow.

Be sure to soak the clams in seawater with some oatmeal for several hours before eating. They eat the oats and spit out the sand in their digestive track.

[Boracay]

So this would be the wrong place for the joke about the shipwrecked sailor and the beautiful castaway...?

[Charlie]

Del:

Two kids 9 and 10 are up for this kind of adventure and don't need licenses. How sweet is that?

[delmarrey]

There's no law that says you can't eat their catch.
Later, I'll send you a PM giving you a good local, if you're up to a little drive and a ferry ride, and providing it's in season for that spot. I'll check!..............._/)

[Islandmike]

Northern hardshell clams, once identified as Venus mercenaria, now labled Mercenaria mercenaria can be hand picked, dreged or tonged. Often in and around the RI area you can still see clamers standing in their boats with a long set of "Tongs". They push the tongs to the bottom and use the tongs as tongs and work the bottom, they would bring them up like that. At one time I would purchase maybe 100 bushel bags a day of Quahogs for the RI CO-OPs for use in a small seafood cannery in SE CT. The nectar, or broth was one of the very important flavors in the chowder. Probably more than anyone really wanted to know...

[Charlie]

Thanks For the insight Mike I found it interesting. Always enjoy learning a few details to bore the kids with.

Del please PM me.

[Intentional Drifter]

Charlie --

As a PNW resident, I do hope you have a nice time here in our wonderful little part of the country (just don't move here, please -- too many of us, already).

As to the clams, they can be tasty treats, but they are not without risk. Do make sure that the beach you are harvesting from is OK. You don't want what this story described, just yesterday. So-called "red tide" (Paralytic shellfish poisoning) is serious stuff and can make someone very, very sick.

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[Charlie]

Already have a place for retirement set up on Whidbey. Was married at the church where Cheif Seattle was buried. Honeymooned on the Olympic Peninsula -- but -- I'll make you a deal. You get all the people out of California that have moved here since I was born in '63 and I won't move to the PNW