Have you ever heard the term happy as a clam at high tide? They are happy because you cannot get to clams during high tide….
“Everyone keeps saying we’re driving on the clam beds so I just want to put this out there so people understand where the clam beds actually are… because unless you’re driving in the water, you’re not driving on clam beds…” Dusty Pruitt
Each beach varies as to how low the tide needs to be to expose the clam and oyster beds. A +2’ low tide (preferably during daylight hours) is the threshold for several beaches. A +2’ may only give you a short window before the tide floods; a +1’ or a 0’ will give you a longer window to forage.
The best conditions for digging clams occur an hour before low tide as the tide goes out, low tide, when the water level is low enough to expose the clams …
Here was the tide chart for 2024 for clamming . Every year, the parks department puts it out and assigns clamming days when the tide is the low. For current razor clam season information go to https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams
Now, how do you find a clam?
To locate where a clam is you’ll need to find the “show”.
The “show” is a small hole or divot in the sand where the razor clam has extended its siphon up through the sand creating a small tunnel to feed on plankton from the ocean. This is where your clam is, so start digging.
Many different digging techniques exist and you’ll be sure to find other helpful razor clammers on the beach that will be more than happy to assist a first time clammer.
Pay attention to the waves, don’t lose your container full of clams or leave trash to wash away, and try not to break the razor clam’s shell when you’re digging.
For clamming rules & principles, cleaning tips, and eating:
Permits & Rules: The first thing you’ll need to be a razor clammer is a valid Washington State shellfish harvest license. Only young clammers (under 15 years of age) can clam without a license.
Chose a Digging Tool: There is a lot to the decision over which digging tool to use. Diehard clammers tend to use a razor clam shovel, as tradition dictates. The shovel requires a bit more skill, a bit more speed, and a lot more courage. If you’d prefer to stay a bit cleaner and keep your hands out of the sand you can use a clam tube or clam gun instead. A clam gun is a plastic or metal tube with a handle that has a small hole you cover with your thumb. After you push and twist the tube down into the sand you plug the hole in the handle and turn your tube into a straw that pulls out all of the sand and the clam with it. Clam guns are very useful if you plan on clamming close to the breaking waves. Always remember that when clamming in the drier areas of the beach, please remember to fill in the holes you make when digging for clams.
Cleaning tips: Cleaning a razor clam is easy with some practice. The clam even does some of the work. We recommend letting your clams soak in a bucket of fresh water for several hours, this will allow the clam to expel some of the internal sand on its own and discard a slippery film that surrounds the clam. (More cleaning tips from WSPF’s blog that includes video.)
Eating: Pacific Razor clams are gaining in popularity as a local and seasonal delicacy and can be found in top restaurants and grocery stores all over the west coast. In addition to their great taste, they are a sustainable, convenient, and local source of protein. In fact, recently the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch listed Pacific razor clams as “healthy”, “abundant,” and a “best choice” for consumers. You won’t have any problems discovering great cooking techniques and recipes ranging from creamy, savory chowders, to bright and spicy ceviches. We like to pan fry ours with butter and season with salt, lemon and fresh herbs. Feel free to experiment. They can be barbecued and even chopped and mixed into a savory waffle batter and cooked crispy using a waffle iron!
References:
Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife
Tide chart for Ocean Shores Washington
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