clam digging the Washington coast

This is not a guide to clam digging in Washington.

Mocrocks.  aka Roosevelt Beach 3 miles or so north of Copalis.  Bigger clams than Grayland.  Last spring, the clams were away from the surf with "shows" present, no need to pound the beach.  This fall, the bigger clams were near the surf--thump on the sand to get the clams to "show."

Grayland.  Access the beach at Grayland Beach Road right across from the Grayland Grocery store.  Clams this year and last year have been away from the surf at low tide.  Again,  no need to pound the beach, as the shows are already present and few more are likely to pop up.  You won't get your feet wet.  If digging at night, it works best to have a white gas lantern or flashlight held closer to the ground at knee level so that you can see the shows better.  If also using a headlamp, one with a dim setting won't obscure the shows.

Copalis.  These include the Ocean Shores beaches, south of the Copalis River outlet.  

Bottom line:  be prepared to change strategy so that you get your 15 clam limit.

Rain.  Difficulty seeing the shows just makes the clamming more of a challenge.  Embrace it by bringing along a poking stick and maybe digging where the waves lap the sand

Before leaving the house, I consult a checklist:

• License, 
• clam gun and clamming shovel (one is a backup to the other), 
• collection net/container with leash, 
• poking/thumping stick with leash, 
• headlamp/flashlights, 
• clean up water, 
• buckets for boots & clams, 
• rubber gloves to help keep hands from cold & broken clamshells.
• a flashing light to sit on my car dashboard to help locate my car after clamming

Here's a link about razor clam anatomy.

Cleaning clams.  Click here to see my little video on how to clean these guys and dolls (I don't know how to tell the difference).

• Rule #1:  get all the sand out
• Rule #2:  see Rule #1
• Rule #3:  see Rule #1
• To get the clams separated from their shells, drop each clam in boiling water, for 7-10 seconds if you intend to cook them again later.  I let them sit in the water for 20 seconds so they'll be cooked enough for 
• Click on the video link above.