November kicks off the third razor clam tide series of the season, after the WDFW announced that digging can resume starting on the first day of the month.
The department has recently approved five days of digs after testing confirmed that the clams are safe to eat.
There will be minus tides on each of the days, and depending on how the weather and surf develop, clammers may get their first good shot at the clams in the deeper sections of the beds.
Bryce Blumenthal, the recreational razor clam manager for the WDFW, recently reported that most diggers did well, but that during the second open season, bad weather made for tough digging.
“We just finished up our second dig,” Blumenthal said, “and there was a little bit more bad weather than the one before.”
“We did not see as many people with that first dig,” he said. “I think people were looking at the tides and realizing that we did not have any tides that were real negative. So, they were thinking ‘okay there are really good tides the next tide series so we will just wait.’
“We than had a storm that happened right on the weekend, which affected turnout and success. We were not too happy with the way that worked out, because we had some really good tides, including a minus tide of negative 1.7 feet.”
He did report that the last few days of that second dig had good weather, and the success was better.
Were the clams good sized?
“So far not really,” Blumenthal said. “Most of the clammers were happy to get a limit, but they commented that the clams were a bit small. We haven’t had the best tides, and the good tides that we’ve had have been affected by weather. So, the digging that has occurred so far has been at the top of the razor clam beds.”
He explained that the upper part of the beds is usually populated by more small clams.
“Higher up on the beach there are more smaller clams that are just able to set and exist. That’s just the rule of thumb. The first areas you can actually find shows at the top of the clam beds, there are more smaller clams because they are able to survive much easier.”
“We haven’t been able to access the full breadth of the beds, yet,” he added.
When clamming, diggers search the beaches for “shows”, dimples in the sand that indicate the presence of a clam. They then dig them up with the use of a clamming gun, or a clam shovel.
Winter and fall digs are evening and nighttime adventures, and require the use of a high-power light or lantern. Daytime and morning digs will happen in the spring.
Clammers are also reminded that the north end of Long Beach offers less-trammeled beaches, and better digging.
The population assessment that was held this summer showed a population very similar to last year, and Blumenthal believes the season will be pretty much like the 2023-2024 season.
Toxins, such as domoic acid, do not seem to be an issue right now. Blumenthal said that the algae that cause the toxins are present in low numbers, and the conditions necessary for them to create a toxic bloom are not happening right now.
However, there is some danger if the weather becomes unusually warm this fall. Several warm, sunny days could change those conditions, so clam diggers are reminded to check the state toxins website before doing any digging.
An announcement will be made by the WDFW news releases ahead of the next digs if they are a go. WDFW News releases: https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom
The most recent test results for domoic acid on Washington’s beaches can be found on the department’s domoic acid reports webpage.
The limit is 15 clams per day per digger. Each participant must dig his own clams, and they must keep the first 15 clams they dig. Clams returned to the beach have a very low chance of survival.
Also, each digger must keep his clams in a separate container.
Blumenthal stresses safety during the winter time digs, when it is dark and conditions may be rough.
“Safety is always a concern once we get into the high surf stormy season,” he said. “We always want to remind people to be aware of the conditions and look around and take care of their fellow diggers right by them.”
“People should also not dig by themselves if they can avoid it.”
A back-up light is a good idea, in case your original light fails.
Early digs
The following digs during evening (p.m.) low tides will proceed as scheduled:
- Nov. 2, Saturday, 7:47 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (switch to standard time)
- Nov. 3, Sunday, 7:22 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
- Nov. 4, Monday, 8 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
- Nov. 5, Tuesday, 8:42 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Please note that the shift from daylight savings time will mean that the Nov. 3 tide time reflects that change, with the tide on that day bottoming out earlier than the day before, instead of later.
Future digs
The following dates for future digs will be approved after testing for toxins.
- Nov. 13, Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
- Nov. 14, Thursday, 5:02 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
- Nov. 15, Friday, 5:48 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
- Nov. 16, Saturday, 6:33 p.m.; -1.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
- Nov. 17, Sunday, 7:19 p.m.; -1.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
- Nov. 18, Monday, 8:05 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
- Nov. 19, Tuesday, 8:54 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
