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| How to Dig Razor Clams
Using a clam shovel...
First look for a "clam show". What is a clam show?
That's where a clam has withdrawn its neck or started to dig leaving a hole
or dimple in the sand. There are three major kind of "shows" to look for:
- dimple: a depression in the sand
- doughnut: which has raised sides
- keyhole: which is usually in drier sand areas and is shaped
like an "hour-glass" or is a hole with very distinct sides.
Always look for the larger sized hole shown here next to a quarter. This
is a good indication that the clam will be larger, but not always.
Clams will also show at the edge of the surf line when you pound the
beach with a shovel handle or your foot. They may squirt sand and water out
of the hole where they are located. You need to be quick when digging in the
surf as razor clams dig quite fast in the soft fluid sand. |
How to Dig With a Clam Shovel
| 1. |
Place the
shovel blade 4 to 6 inches seaward of the clam show. The handle of the
shovel should be pointed toward the sand dunes. |
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| 2. |
Use your
body weight to push the shovel blade straight into the sand while you drop
to one knee. In hard sand, gently rock the shovel handle from side to side
for ease of entry.
It is very important to keep the blade as vertical as possible to keep
from breaking the clam shell. |
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| 3. |
Pull the
handle back just enough to break the suction in the sand, still keeping the
blade as straight as possible. The sand will crack as shown. |
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| 4. |
Remove sand by lifting the shovel upward and forward. Repeat
this 2 to 3 times. |
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| 5. |
Succeeding scoops of sand expose the clam enough to reach down with your
hand and grasp its shell. Razor clams move rapidly downward but not
horizontally. Make sure you keep the first 15 clams and
avoid
wasting any. |
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Clam Digging Gear: It is lawful to use hand or
hand operated shovel and to employ a cylindrical can or tube. Each digger must
have a separate container, but may share a digging device. Openings of
cylindrical cans or tubes for razor clam digging must be either circular or
elliptical. If circular, minimum dimensions: is four inches, if elliptical 4"
long by 3" wide - outside diameter.
Please note! An
Oregon shellfish license is required to harvest clams, crab and other shellfish,
including sandshrimp. Cost for annual license $6.50 resident. $16.50
nonresident. Salmon fishing and shellfish licenses can be purchased at
Garibaldi Marina.
- Telephone
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Local (503) 322-3312, Toll free 1-800-383-3828
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- E-mail
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jeff@garibaldimarina.com or
val@garibaldimarina.com
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