THE FUN: Here’s why I love it
Clamming is so southing for my soul. I get to spend time at the beach, sometimes the family joins me, sometimes I go alone, I am able to provide for myself, and honestly I get excited when there are no holes and then out of no where BAM there it is.
I enjoy the sense of accomplishment and the time spent in a peaceful place that keeps me going back.
the fun
Catch your Dinner
Steps To Catch
01
Rules and Regulations
Before any new activity always be sure to look up the rules and regulations. In Oregon check with ODFW for licensing, red tide and closures, harvest limits, and more.
02
Get Your Gear
Before Heading out make sure you have what you need to make this as enjoyable as possible.
I always have: a clam gun or shovel, a clam gun with clip (so you don’t have to carry it), cooler with ice, gloves (if you are like me and don’t like slimy things, appropriate clothing for the weather
03
Location & Tide Tables
The Pacific Coast is great for razor clamming. Some of my favorite locations are North and South or Peter Iredale Shipwreck and Sunset Beach.
Once I pick my beach I check the tide table to see the best day and time to go. Plan to arrive about 2 hours before low tide for the most fun.
04
Get to the Beach
Load everything up, family, dogs, firewood if you want to make the day of it and head to the beach.
Some beaches you can drive on, but do so at your own risk.
Once on the beach find a spot where the water doesn’t come up as high as everywhere else. This is where I hope to find the clam beds.
05
Find the Clams
Start by walking around on the beach and look for imperfections in the sand.
Some will be big donut holes like the photo above; others will be small holes. Some might bubble and some might even have their neck sticking out squirting at you.
One this I always keep in mind while walking around is to never turn my back to the ocean, I always want to see if a big wave is coming. Safety first.
06
Dig the Clam Out
Ok, the clam hole has been found, let’s get that sucker out of there.
Place the big circle of your clam gun over the little donut, put both hands on the handle and wiggle the gun into the sand as far as you can, cover the small hole on your handle with a finger and pull/lift with your legs, shake out all the sand and check for your clam.
If it’s not there dig again, sometimes I have to dig 3-6 times. If it is there pick up and stick it in your bag,
Congrats you are now a CLAM DIGGER!!!
CONGRATS, YOU ARE NOW A CLAM DIGGER!!!
Get those babies. on some ice, it’s time for part 2: The Cleaning Process
Now that you Caught them it’s Time to Clean them
You had your relaxing day at the beach and you worked so hard for your clams… but the work isn’t over yet.
Get those babies on ice, it’s time to clean them up
Cooking time! All that work makes me hungry
On of my favorite chowder recipe. It’s Gluten-free and follows the AIP (what I used to heal my hashimotos from the inside out.
Discover the Healing
