Clamming back on

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Looks like clamming is starting back up. Copalis beach only for 3 nights. 21st, 23rd, and 25th.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers have confirmed that razor clam digging will reopen at only Copalis Beach on Saturday, Jan. 21, with additional digs on Jan. 23 and Jan. 25.

"We know this is short notice, but we promised to open any beach as soon as we had good results and those able to participate will have some excellent digging," said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. "We’ll continue to closely monitor toxin levels in razor clams and hope to get Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Mocrocks reopened as soon as clams there are safe to eat."

This set of digs during evening low tides will proceed after marine toxin results from the Washington Department of Health (WDOH) showed razor clams are safe to eat at Copalis Beach.

WDOH labs indicate that domoic acid levels at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Mocrocks beaches are still above the health guideline levels. The DOH requires that two test samples taken 10 days apart must fall under the health guideline level before a beach can reopen for razor clam digging.

Digging is prohibited in razor clam reserves, which are marked by 10-foot poles with signs. The Copalis reserve is located just south of the Ocean City approach.

Under state law, the daily limit is the first 15 clams dug per person regardless of size or condition, and each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.

[Bullkllr]

Glad to see things opening back up. I'm kind of itching for a clamming trip. Good tides, but you always need to watch the weather and surf this time of year. Looks like the rain could stop but winds pick up tonight. Surf forecast looks pretty high. Monday's forecast looks better.

[hhack]

Blowing 30 outta the west

[Bullkllr]

Blowing 30 outta the west

Just heard gusts 50-55

[CaNINE]

Too wild and wooly out there for me. Good luck!

[NorseNW]

I never planned to make the run but I looked at the weather anyway.  Gonna be some brave soles out there tonight.  I'm pretty sure I don't need clams that bad.  Hopefully we see some more openings.....

[Bullkllr]

I've driven out onto the beach in the winter-dark a couple times I really regretted it. When the truck is getting rocked by the wind, then you stick your head out and get immediately blasted by a water and sand mixture, those are gonna be some hard-earned clams.

[NorseNW]

I've driven out onto the beach in the winter-dark a couple times I really regretted it. When the truck is getting rocked by the wind, then you stick your head out and get immediately blasted by a water and sand mixture, those are gonna be some hard-earned clams.

100% have done that as well.  I think I may have some video of my wife (she's the real clammer in the family - I'd rather fish and hunt) trying to stand up straight in the wind and rain saying some stupid stuff like "it makes me feel alive!!".  You can barely hear her over the wind blasting!  She isn't even drunk or high.  We've calmed down a bit from that.

[PsoasHunter]

We went out tonight. The wind was no joke. Very difficult to see shows and they were gone in an instant. Surf and train was blowing accross the beach making visibility near zero.  We got some, but didn't limit for only the second time I can remember. Still fun though, just a different kind of fun. 

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Talked with a brother tonight. He and my other brother went last night and said they both got nice limits. Wasn't a fun dig tho.

[ASHQUACK]

Went Saturday, tough was an understatement. It was ok with the little time it was still light enough to see without external light. As soon as the headlamps came on it was over. We got our clams but it was tough. Gonna head out tonight and try again. Weather is looking better. I have a video but zero clue how to post it here.

[Bullkllr]

We're going to give it a go tonight. Nice low tide, anyway. Weather and surf look decent.

[hookr88]

Trying to decide if it’s worth the time to drive 2 1/2 hours for some clams tonight. Steady winds at 20 gusting to 40. What’s the general consensus. Tough digging with blowing sand and surf?

[KNOPHISH]

Can’t be as bad as Friday night, some hardcore clammers in the worst conditions I’ve ever been. Didn’t see anyone getting any but scratched out me limit. Keep pounding the sand and they’ll show.

[Bullkllr]

Trying to decide if it’s worth the time to drive 2 1/2 hours for some clams tonight. Steady winds at 20 gusting to 40. What’s the general consensus. Tough digging with blowing sand and surf?

I'm sure ther're locals who know how the weather translates to clamming better than I can. But I'd say this evening's forecast is kinda "middling": not great, but not really too bad either. Looks fairly dry at least. The worst conditions for me are when it blows and rains really hard and it makes it about impossible to see shows.