And managing razors out on the ocean public beaches out there is probably easier for WDFW. Less of a headache on those beaches as WDFW doesn't have to deal with the tribe(s) and share 50% of the harvest with the them . QIN has their own beaches to dig on.

There are still some shared situations because I recall QIN donating "share" to WDFW so that openings could occur.

QIN digs razors on the beach at Seabrook. That's a WDFW Mocrocks clamming beach. I don't know if they clam farther south to Roosevelt Beach and Copalis.

12/20/2923

QIN does have their beaches BUT they also share with WDFW on at least one beach.

For the "kids on here", there was a period of time, before 1968, when ANYONE could apply for a "commercial license" and dig as many clams as you wanted.

Then the limit numbers have been changed, limit was 24, when I moved to Region 6, then I think it went to 20, then to the present number.

BUT what really changed since 1968, was/is the time you could dig....1968 the digging was pretty much year around, then there were different time frames.

BUT WHAT REALLY CHANGED.....the amount of people, RV'ers, that just filled the camp grounds, and many just "canned or froze", there clams while they were here.

Most on here, don't remember that the freeway over passes, at Montesano were not complete......so all the traffic had to go thru Montesano, AND THE SAME STOP LIGHT that is where it is now, was there.

On many tides the traffic would be backed up for miles, both coming to the beaches and then going home.....for locals just trying to get to town it was a real bitch!!!!!!!

Dan Ayers was one that helped make changes....but there were others before him, a person name Tom Northup was a big help before Dan Ayers.

I used to night dig.....not many lantern's in those days, not many would dig at night.....

If WDFW has to share a beach or two with the tribe for clams still better and easier for them than having to share fish on a whole river system and its tribs.

How so? I think harvestable numbers are set for each beach.

Thanks CM. But do they have to share the harvest numbers on each beach with the tribes or are the harvestable numbers just for the rec anglers?

It's just like salmon. Whoever has U&A on those beaches is part of the sharing. If it is just QIN, it's all theirs on the Tribal side. The harvest. numbers should be for both; each gets X and 2X is the harvestable number.

It's a little strange to me that some beaches that had clams in good numbers, now don't have them. Kalaloch, for instance. Also, I was in on a clam poachng/research trip with Doug Simons to Yellow Banks, west of Lake Ozette, and there was good digging there. Years later, heard that the razors were gone.

Drifter, more cool info. My deceased father in law Frank Olsen Jr. was a Hoquiam native and dug commercially back in the day for xtra cash in the 50's-60's. At 6'5" tall that was not an easy task. That height got him a scholarship at UPS in basketball and an education in teaching. There he met my mother in law Sandie who at 86 still reminsces of those days. His brother Will, recently passed in October at 91, a long time Hoquiam native and retired Long Shoreman there. Clam digging is in our families blood and a great activity to share with everyone. Hope it holds up amongst all the other recreational fishing closures that are going on. I, for one will participate as long as fisheries are open,or as long as I am able. Thanks for sharing.

Listened to a presentation once by Al Rammer about razor clams. Apparently, there are relatively few places where they successfully spawn. A good spawn then drifts with the currents and seeds the beaches.

I would add that Sea Otters are effective predators on razors. I saw a pod at kalaloch and a dead one on the beach south of Westport. I think a bunch of he clams go into otter tummies.

WDFW approves four days of coastal razor clam digs starting Dec. 26; more digs planned for January and February

OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can look forward to more holiday digging beginning Dec. 26, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers confirmed today.

“This will be the last opportunity to dig razor clams before the New Year’s festivities and college football watch parties,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist.

Not all coastal beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. Optimal digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.
The following digs during afternoon and evening low tides (noon to midnight only) will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) showed razor clams are safe to eat:

• Dec. 26, Tuesday, 6:18 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Dec. 27, Wednesday, 6:57 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 28, Thursday, 7:35 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Dec. 29, Friday, 8:11 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

The DOH requires test samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Final approval usually occurs about a week or less – sometimes two to three days – before the start of each digging series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on the WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.

Additional tentative dates in January and February:
• Jan. 9, Tuesday, 5:02 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Copalis
• Jan. 10, Wednesday, 5:46 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 11, Thursday, 6:28 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 12, Friday, 7:11 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Jan. 13, Saturday, 7:53 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Jan. 14, Sunday, 8:36 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 15, Monday, 9:19 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Mocrocks

• Jan. 22, Monday, 4:28 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Mocrocks
• Jan. 23, Tuesday, 5:13 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 24, Wednesday, 5:53 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Jan. 25, Thursday, 6:28 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Jan. 26, Friday, 7:01 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 27, Saturday, 7:32 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
• Jan. 28, Sunday, 8:02 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Copalis

• Feb. 6, Tuesday, 3:52 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Mocrocks
• Feb. 7, Wednesday, 4:41 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Feb. 8, Thursday, 5:26 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Feb. 9, Friday, 6:09 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Feb. 10, Saturday, 6:49 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Feb. 11, Sunday, 7:29 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Feb. 12, Monday, 8:08 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Copalis

• Feb. 21, Wednesday, 4:56 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Feb. 22, Thursday, 5:33 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Feb. 23, Friday, 6:05 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Feb. 24, Saturday, 6:34 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Feb. 25, Sunday, 7:02 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks

WDFW is accepting public comments on the alternative digging schedule change at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches during January and February. The public may email their feedback to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov.

On all open beaches, the daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition, to prevent waste.
All diggers 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW’s licensing website, and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. WDFW recommends buying your license before visiting coastal beach communities.

The updated 2023-24 Razor Clam Management Plan is available on the WDFW website. Reference additional razor clam information on the WDFW razor clam webpage.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

12/21/2023

RUNnGUN

Thanks for your comments....I do the historical bit as I remember it, and its tough to find WDFW history on many things, its like the boxes of information got trashed.

I do know the Region 6 was really aggressive at throwing out files when folks retired.

NEXT CLAM DIGS

NEWS RELEASE

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Jan. 4, 2024
Contact: Bryce Blumenthal, 360-249-4628, ext. 232
Media contact: Mark Yuasa, 360-902-2262



WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs starting Jan. 9; additional digs planned for January and February

OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can look forward to more digging on coastal beaches beginning Jan. 9, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers confirmed today.
“There was high surf during the last tide series of 2023, resulting in some difficult digging at times,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “Hopefully the start of 2024 brings better conditions and easier razor clam digging.”

Not all coastal beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. Optimal digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.

The following digs during afternoon and evening low tides (noon to midnight only) will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) showed razor clams are safe to eat:
• Jan. 9, Tuesday, 5:02 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Copalis
• Jan. 10, Wednesday, 5:46 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 11, Thursday, 6:28 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 12, Friday, 7:11 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Jan. 13, Saturday, 7:53 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Jan. 14, Sunday, 8:36 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 15, Monday, 9:19 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Mocrocks

The DOH requires test samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Final approval usually occurs about a week or less – sometimes two to three days – before the start of each digging series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on the WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.

Additional tentative dates in January and February:
• Jan. 22, Monday, 4:28 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Mocrocks
• Jan. 23, Tuesday, 5:13 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 24, Wednesday, 5:53 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Jan. 25, Thursday, 6:28 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Jan. 26, Friday, 7:01 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 27, Saturday, 7:32 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
• Jan. 28, Sunday, 8:02 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Copalis

• Feb. 6, Tuesday, 3:52 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Mocrocks
• Feb. 7, Wednesday, 4:41 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Feb. 8, Thursday, 5:26 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Feb. 9, Friday, 6:09 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Feb. 10, Saturday, 6:49 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Feb. 11, Sunday, 7:29 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Feb. 12, Monday, 8:08 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Copalis

• Feb. 21, Wednesday, 4:56 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Feb. 22, Thursday, 5:33 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Feb. 23, Friday, 6:05 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Feb. 24, Saturday, 6:34 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

• Feb. 25, Sunday, 7:02 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
WDFW is accepting public comments on the alternative digging schedule change at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches during January and February. The public may email their feedback to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov.

On all open beaches, the daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition, to prevent waste.

All diggers 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW’s licensing website, and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. WDFW recommends buying your license before visiting coastal beach communities. Additional razor clam information is available on the WDFW razor clam webpage.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.



________________________________________




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This Afternoon
NW wind 14 to 16 kt. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers after 4pm. W swell 16 ft at 13 seconds. Wind waves around 2 ft.

Tonight
NW wind 12 to 17 kt. Showers likely, mainly between 11pm and 1am. W swell 14 ft at 12 seconds. Wind waves 2 to 3 ft.

Thursday
WNW wind 19 to 21 kt, with gusts as high as 27 kt. Showers. W swell 8 to 10 ft at 12 seconds. Wind waves 3 to 4 ft.

Thursday Night
WNW wind 13 to 19 kt. Rain showers before 1am, then rain and snow showers likely. W swell 7 ft. Wind waves 2 to 3 ft.

Friday
NNW wind 9 to 13 kt becoming E in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 kt. Rain and snow likely before 1pm, then snow likely between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of rain and snow after 4pm. W swell 5 ft. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft.

Friday Night
E wind 19 to 22 kt, with gusts as high as 32 kt. A chance of rain and snow before 7pm, then rain likely. W swell 5 ft. Wind waves 3 to 4 ft.

Saturday
E wind 15 to 20 kt becoming SSE in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 29 kt. Rain likely, mainly before 10am. W swell 8 ft. Wind waves 2 to 3 ft.

Saturday Night
E wind around 12 kt. A chance of snow. WSW swell 9 ft. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft.

Looks like a narrow window to git'R'dun Friday before the wind picks up again later that night.

Weather page I'm looking at says east winds 25-30 mph, temperature 19 degrees and wind chill of -2 degrees for Friday night low tide. Don't stick your tongue to the metal handle of your clam gun...

01/13/2024

I use clams for chowder........so I just buy the Costco, 2 big cans $22.00, and I'm good to go....

East wind........ big negative for hunting, fishing, clam digging.......for sure the East wind is blowing at my house. Have wind chime on East side of my house, its been "working overtime, 24 hours for past few days"...

Stay warm..............

01/13/2024

I use clams for chowder........so I just buy the Costco, 2 big cans $22.00, and I'm good to go....

East wind........ big negative for hunting, fishing, clam digging.......for sure the East wind is blowing at my house. Have wind chime on East side of my house, its been "working overtime, 24 hours for past few days"...

Stay warm..............