How to Dig an Easy Limit of Tasty Razor Clams
Follow These Tips for Fun, Safe, Hauls of Tasty Clams
Dec 11, 2008
In Washington, up to 30,000 people hit the sandy Pacific Coast beaches during razor clam seasons that last one to five days. In Oregon, razor clam digging is always open - unless health concerns close the beaches.
Safety First with Razor Clams
State health and fish and wildlife departments regularly check razor clams for toxic poisons and bacteria, and it's very important to check their online reports. Oregon and Washington keep very close tabs on shellfish safety.
Diggers in these states don't have to worry about eating bad clams - if they pay attention to the reports and seasons.
Razor Clam Perils
There are two naturally occurring poisons that can build in razor clams - and other shellfish:
- Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning - also known as “red tide” - happens when shellfish take in a lot of algae that has a toxin that is bad for humans. PSP is often linked to warm conditions and huge algae blooms. PSP is not usually a concern in cold Alaskan and Pacific Northwest waters, but scientists still test razor clams for the toxin.
- Domoic Acid is the other worry before the beaches open for a razor clam dig. Domoic Acid is a natural ocean poison that clams, which feed on material in the water, absorb in their body tissues - especially fat.
High levels of Domoic Acid - starting at about 20 parts per million - can make people sick.
Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramps. In severe cases, headache, dizziness, confusion, loss of memory, seizures, heart problems and coma can lead to death. People can suffer permanent loss of short-term memory.
Happily, clammers who keep track of beach testing results don't have to worry about these problems. No one should dig when the beaches are closed.
Digging a Limit of Razor Clams
Clam digging is a family event in the Northwest, and it’s common to see children happily digging razor clams.
The best time for digging clams starts about an hour or so before low tide. The receding water exposes prime clam grounds.
Clammers, wearing rubber boots or waders - and watching for larger "sneaker" waves - follow the water's edge and look for dimples or holes in the wet said. It's a good idea to wear life vests for safety.
Clammers use two methods: shovels or newfangled clam tubes - sometimes called "guns" - that siphon clams right out of the sand. Clam guns make digging razor clams very, very easy.
Razor Clamming with a Shovel
Veteran clammers tap on the sand with the shovel. Those taps often spur clams into making the dimple that marks the spot.
Then they set the shovel blade a couple of inches away from the dimple and make sure the handle is pointed inland.
Clammers than sink the blade straight down while sinking to their knees. They take two or three quick scoops and then stick a hand in the hole and grab for the clam.
Razor Clamming with a Tube or Gun
Clammers tap the sand until they see a dimple.
Then they quickly place the clam gun over the hole and sink it into the sand with a rocking motion.
After the tube is about halfway sunken into the sand, the clammer places a thumb on the hole in the tube and pulls a core of sand - and hopefully a clam - out onto the beach.
It’s kind of like putting a finger over a straw while drinking a milkshake.
Then it's time to clean the clams and make chowder - or heat up the frying pan for a quick sizzle!
 |
 |
 |
