Hints About Razor Clamming

AP, via TBO.com ^ | Jan 6, 2004 | UNK

[greydog]

CLAMS - Razor clams grow by the millions on surf-pounded beaches along the Washington coast. They're narrower than many species, and they can grow to be 6 inches long.

GEAR - A special narrow-bladed clam shovel or a "clam gun," a modified metal or plastic tube used to haul up a core sample of sand - hopefully with a clam inside. Each digger needs a separate container for the clams. Rubber boots and rain gear are a good idea, along with a lantern if low tide is after dark.

FINDING CLAMS - Look for "clam sign," a telltale dimple made by the clam's siphon. Many diggers tap the sand near the surf line at low tide, causing the clam to withdraw the siphon, accentuating the dimple.

DIGGING - Dig fast or the clam might dig away. But be careful, the shells are fragile, and every clam you find counts against the Washington limit of 15 - even if its broken.

CLEANING AND COOKING - Check out the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's web pages for step-by-step cleaning instructions and recipes.

WHEN TO GO - The next openings are tentatively set for Jan. 18-20.

DON'T FORGET - A Washington state shellfishing license.

[greydog]

Just got a gold/diamond anniversary pin at work today.

[Support Free Republic]

Rank	Location	Receipts	Donors/Avg		Freepers/Avg		Monthlies
1	California	$1,368.00	35	$39.09	1,834	$0.75	$1,452.56	96

Thanks for donating to Free Republic!

Move your locale up the leaderboard!

[jimtorr]

"Just got a gold/diamond anniversary pin at work today."

I'm happy for you, but, just out of curiosity, what does that have to do with razor clams?

When I was a kid, my parents would take me claming on Long Island, WA, and I quickly learned that the only proper place for clams in my diet and recreation was in the clam chowder.

My mother's uncle built A-frame cabins along the Columbia in Washington, so we visited every spring and/or summer until he died.

[doodad]

Must be a close relative of the bearded clam </pirate voice>

[JohnG45]

Ahh, the elusive bearded clam! It is by far and away the most satisfying of all the mollusks.

[joesnuffy]

Courtship yes very.....court...ah no...not very....

[Ben Hecks]

We used to go after geoduck clams along the CA coast. Using a clam gun, a two-man gunner/bagger team can collect more clams in an hour than 10 people with shovels can collect all day.....I think a geoduck can move almost as fast in the sand as you can shovel. Clam chowder, steamed dungeness crabs, sourdough bread and a good wine......what a way to camp on the beach!

[Ditter]

Can you catch all the same bad diseases from clams that you can catch from contaminated oysters?

[tubebender]

The Razor clams disappeared form the Humboldt coast a few years ago but they are slowly coming back. Friends of ours love to go clamming so we get lots of fresh Razors. They wear wet suits against the chilly 52 degree water. I wish the suits were available when I was able to clam here...