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Digging Razor Clams on Clatsop Spit Beaches: Clam digging for razor clams on along the beach at Clatsop Spit has been excellent in recent years. Preliminary tests by ODFW during the summer of 2011 show that razor clam density have declined. The best clam digging this past year is from the beach associated with Fort Stevens and at the Cove at southern end of Seaside. On 05/05 Bill from Bud's Campground reports: clam digging on the area beaches during the last series of low tides was great with limits common place. Bill reports clam diggers are returning to Bud's Campground with limits of razor clams today. We recommend staying at Bud’s Campground. Of all the R/V Parks along Hwy 101 in Seaside Bud’s Campground is the best. Bud’s is conveniently located 3 miles north of Seaside on the west side of Hwy 101. Bud's Campground is the only R/V Park that carries a complete line of razor clams digging equipment. Call Bud’s at:1-800-730-6855. Bill and Shirley will make your stay a pleasant one. On 05/08 ODFW reports: Razor clam harvesting along the Clatsop Beaches improved during April. Harvesters had the best success in Seaside and Sunset beach areas where the average catch was more than 11 clams per person. Clams were largest in Seaside where they averaged 4½ inches while Sunset beach clams averaged 4¼ inches. Harvesters should be on the beach one to two hours before low tide and should pay close attention to the surf forecasts. If the forecast calls for combined seas over 8-10 feet, razor clam harvesting can be very difficult because the clams tend to show much less in those conditions. Look for a minus tide and combined wave heights of less than 10 feet. An east wind will help knock down the swell; likewise a southwest wind will make surf conditions worse for clamming. Never turn your back on the ocean when clamming. Last summer Clam Digger Association member, Jerry and his friend John dug limits of razor clams near the area south of the wreck of the Peter Iredale. Jerry reported, "We are returning to 1/4 mile south of the entrance at the Peter Iredale. The Razors are 5-5.5 inches and necking like crazy. -Jerry" During the next series of low tides Jerry reported, "John and I got two nice limits of razors at the Peter Iredale shipwreck site yesterday a.m. The clams there are HUGE. take care my friend. -jerry." Jerry and his friend John have been busy digging limits at the Cove in Seaside.
For a change of pace clam diggers Jerry Lynch and John Lim were going to dig gaper clams in Netarts Bay but the lure of yesterday's success was too great and they both dug limits of mostly 3 and 4 year old razor clams at the Cove at Seaside. On the previous day, clam digger Jerry Lynch and John Lim dug razor clams from the Cove at Seaside. Jerry dug a limit while John who is 75 only dug 9 clams. Most of the clams were 2 year old clams. Association member Casey writes: Hi Bill, We hade a great time at seaside and got our limits of razors! It was our first time digging razors so we cracked some shells and got some small ones but we kept em all. We fried them up and they were delicious. I noticed that they have a similar flavor to abalone (I used to be a diver in Ca). Great fun and we can’t wait till next time. I've included some pics of my wife Sonja and our limits and my nephew Brandon and his small one. Casey Brisbin
I've included some pics of my wife Sonja and our limits and my nephew Brandon and his small one. Casey Brisbin.
Internet Links of Interest for the Columbia River Estuary and Clatsop Spit
BAR CROSSING: Click HERE to see the navigation hazards crossing the Columbia River Bay or Click HERE to see the Chartlette of the Lower Columbia River Estuary. Webcams: Click on the following link to the Coast Guard Jettycam real time views of the bar crossing of Oregon's Bays and follow the instructions. Click on Seaside Webcams for view of the beach at the Lanai or the Seaside Aquarium. Tidal Projections: Tides are the rise and fall of the sea level caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. Click on the current moon icon to follow the phase of the moon.
CURRENT MOON
Click on NOAA Tides and Currents to link to the tide tables for the Oregon Coast; then scroll down and click on the location of interest. Click 2011 to view the NOAA tidal projections at the North Jetty at the entrance to the Columbia River Bar. Click 2011 to view the NOAA tidal projections at Hammond, Oregon. Scroll down the desired month. Click on 2012 to view the NOAA tidal projections for Clatsop Spit at the North Jetty of the Columbia River Bar. Plan for future clamdigging and or crabbing adventures on Clatsop Spit and the Lower Columbia River Estuary by clicking on the tidal projections at the N Jetty of the Columbia River Estuary and scroll down the desired month for 2012 and 2013. Click on 2012 to view the NOAA tidal projections for your area of interest or view the tidal projections for Seaside at the 12th Ave Bridge. TIDAL SURGE: Razor clam digging is often unproductive during periods of heavy tidal surge. I stay home if the offshore long ocean swells exceed 6.0 feet or when the combination of long ocean swells and wind waves exceed 8 feet in height. The height and interval of the long ocean swells is determining factor if I dig razor clams. If the long ocean swells are under 8 feet with 10 plus second intervals without much in the way of wind waves I go. If the long ocean swell are at 8 feet and building I stay home. The ODFW website recommends the height of 10 feet as the determining factor for digging razor clams. Safety is determining factor when digging razor clams or bay clams. There are guidelines diggers should follow when digging clams and raising the bar to 10 feet is not one of them. We recommend digging bay clams during periods of moderate to heavy surf. Remember, clam digging is most productive during periods of Spring tides and crabbing is most productive during periods of Neap tides. View the tidal projections for Seaside at the 12th Ave Bridge. Columbia River entrance (N. Jetty), Washington 12 May 2012 - 7 July 2012 46.2667° N, 124.0667° W 2012-05-19 Sat 05:38 PDT Sunrise 2012-05-19 Sat 06:40 PDT -0.26 feet Low Tide 2012-05-19 Sat 13:09 PDT 6.12 feet High Tide 2012-05-19 Sat 18:22 PDT 2.68 feet Low Tide 2012-05-19 Sat 19:56 PDT Moonset 2012-05-19 Sat 20:48 PDT Sunset 2012-05-20 Sun 00:29 PDT 7.71 feet High Tide 2012-05-20 Sun 05:22 PDT Moonrise 2012-05-20 Sun 05:37 PDT Sunrise 2012-05-20 Sun 07:18 PDT -0.42 feet Low Tide 2012-05-20 Sun 13:51 PDT 6.17 feet High Tide 2012-05-20 Sun 16:48 PDT New Moon 2012-05-20 Sun 19:00 PDT 2.87 feet Low Tide 2012-05-20 Sun 20:49 PDT Sunset 2012-05-20 Sun 20:53 PDT Moonset 2012-05-21 Mon 01:00 PDT 7.68 feet High Tide 2012-05-21 Mon 05:36 PDT Sunrise 2012-05-21 Mon 06:02 PDT Moonrise 2012-05-21 Mon 07:54 PDT -0.46 feet Low Tide 2012-05-21 Mon 14:32 PDT 6.17 feet High Tide 2012-05-21 Mon 19:37 PDT 3.02 feet Low Tide 2012-05-21 Mon 20:50 PDT Sunset 2012-05-21 Mon 21:46 PDT Moonset 2012-05-22 Tue 01:32 PDT 7.65 feet High Tide 2012-05-22 Tue 05:35 PDT Sunrise 2012-05-22 Tue 06:49 PDT Moonrise 2012-05-22 Tue 08:28 PDT -0.44 feet Low Tide 2012-05-22 Tue 15:11 PDT 6.15 feet High Tide 2012-05-22 Tue 20:14 PDT 3.12 feet Low Tide 2012-05-22 Tue 20:51 PDT Sunset 2012-05-22 Tue 22:34 PDT Moonset 2012-05-23 Wed 02:05 PDT 7.59 feet High Tide 2012-05-23 Wed 05:34 PDT Sunrise 2012-05-23 Wed 07:42 PDT Moonrise 2012-05-23 Wed 09:01 PDT -0.36 feet Low Tide 2012-05-23 Wed 15:50 PDT 6.12 feet High Tide 2012-05-23 Wed 20:51 PDT 3.18 feet Low Tide 2012-05-23 Wed 20:52 PDT Sunset 2012-05-23 Wed 23:16 PDT Moonset 2012-05-24 Thu 02:41 PDT 7.48 feet High Tide 2012-05-24 Thu 05:33 PDT Sunrise 2012-05-24 Thu 08:40 PDT Moonrise 2012-05-24 Thu 09:34 PDT -0.23 feet Low Tide 2012-05-24 Thu 16:29 PDT 6.10 feet High Tide 2012-05-24 Thu 20:53 PDT Sunset 2012-05-24 Thu 21:32 PDT 3.21 feet Low Tide 2012-05-24 Thu 23:53 PDT Moonset 2012-05-25 Fri 03:20 PDT 7.28 feet High Tide 2012-05-25 Fri 05:32 PDT Sunrise 2012-05-25 Fri 09:42 PDT Moonrise 2012-05-25 Fri 10:09 PDT -0.05 feet Low Tide 2012-05-25 Fri 17:09 PDT 6.12 feet High Tide 2012-05-25 Fri 20:54 PDT Sunset 2012-06-01 Fri 03:15 PDT Moonset 2012-06-01 Fri 04:40 PDT -0.03 feet Low Tide 2012-06-01 Fri 05:27 PDT Sunrise 2012-06-01 Fri 11:08 PDT 5.90 feet High Tide 2012-06-01 Fri 16:19 PDT 2.22 feet Low Tide 2012-06-01 Fri 18:03 PDT Moonrise 2012-06-01 Fri 21:01 PDT Sunset 2012-06-01 Fri 22:45 PDT 8.47 feet High Tide 2012-06-02 Sat 03:54 PDT Moonset 2012-06-02 Sat 05:27 PDT Sunrise 2012-06-02 Sat 05:35 PDT -0.81 feet Low Tide 2012-06-02 Sat 12:09 PDT 6.19 feet High Tide 2012-06-02 Sat 17:16 PDT 2.37 feet Low Tide 2012-06-02 Sat 19:21 PDT Moonrise 2012-06-02 Sat 21:02 PDT Sunset 2012-06-02 Sat 23:34 PDT 8.77 feet High Tide 2012-06-03 Sun 04:42 PDT Moonset 2012-06-03 Sun 05:26 PDT Sunrise 2012-06-03 Sun 06:29 PDT -1.38 feet Low Tide 2012-06-03 Sun 13:05 PDT 6.44 feet High Tide 2012-06-03 Sun 18:11 PDT 2.46 feet Low Tide 2012-06-03 Sun 20:34 PDT Moonrise 2012-06-03 Sun 21:02 PDT Sunset 2012-06-04 Mon 00:23 PDT 8.91 feet High Tide 2012-06-04 Mon 04:11 PDT Full Moon 2012-06-04 Mon 05:26 PDT Sunrise 2012-06-04 Mon 05:39 PDT Moonset 2012-06-04 Mon 07:20 PDT -1.70 feet Low Tide 2012-06-04 Mon 13:59 PDT 6.64 feet High Tide 2012-06-04 Mon 19:05 PDT 2.50 feet Low Tide 2012-06-04 Mon 21:03 PDT Sunset 2012-06-04 Mon 21:37 PDT Moonrise 2012-06-05 Tue 01:12 PDT 8.86 feet High Tide 2012-06-05 Tue 05:25 PDT Sunrise 2012-06-05 Tue 06:45 PDT Moonset 2012-06-05 Tue 08:09 PDT -1.76 feet Low Tide 2012-06-05 Tue 14:51 PDT 6.77 feet High Tide 2012-06-05 Tue 19:59 PDT 2.50 feet Low Tide 2012-06-05 Tue 21:04 PDT Sunset 2012-06-05 Tue 22:30 PDT Moonrise 2012-06-06 Wed 02:03 PDT 8.62 feet High Tide 2012-06-06 Wed 05:25 PDT Sunrise 2012-06-06 Wed 07:57 PDT Moonset 2012-06-06 Wed 08:57 PDT -1.60 feet Low Tide 2012-06-06 Wed 15:41 PDT 6.86 feet High Tide 2012-06-06 Wed 20:54 PDT 2.47 feet Low Tide 2012-06-06 Wed 21:05 PDT Sunset 2012-06-06 Wed 23:13 PDT Moonrise 2012-06-07 Thu 02:54 PDT 8.20 feet High Tide 2012-06-07 Thu 05:25 PDT Sunrise 2012-06-07 Thu 09:10 PDT Moonset 2012-06-07 Thu 09:44 PDT -1.23 feet Low Tide 2012-06-07 Thu 16:30 PDT 6.91 feet High Tide 2012-06-07 Thu 21:05 PDT Sunset 2012-06-07 Thu 21:49 PDT 2.46 feet Low Tide 2012-06-07 Thu 23:48 PDT Moonrise 2012-06-08 Fri 03:47 PDT 7.63 feet High Tide 2012-06-08 Fri 05:24 PDT Sunrise 2012-06-08 Fri 10:22 PDT Moonset 2012-06-08 Fri 10:30 PDT -0.70 feet Low Tide 2012-06-08 Fri 17:17 PDT 6.94 feet High Tide 2012-06-08 Fri 21:06 PDT Sunset 2012-06-08 Fri 22:46 PDT 2.44 feet Low Tide 2012-06-09 Sat 00:18 PDT Moonrise 2012-06-09 Sat 04:41 PDT 6.94 feet High Tide 2012-06-09 Sat 05:24 PDT Sunrise 2012-06-09 Sat 11:16 PDT -0.07 feet Low Tide 2012-06-09 Sat 11:32 PDT Moonset 2012-06-09 Sat 18:05 PDT 6.95 feet High Tide 2012-06-09 Sat 21:07 PDT Sunset 2012-06-09 Sat 23:46 PDT 2.38 feet Low Tide Click on National Buoy Data Center to view the observations from buoys off the Oregon Coast. Click on Stonewall Banks to to view buoy reports for the long ocean sells at the Stonewall Bank Buoy. We provide a link to Oregon Surf Check to view the height and interval of the long ocean swells. WEATHER FORECAST: Click on the NOAA Website Marine Digital Point Forecast Matrix Interface to view a detailed weather and surf forecast for the Oregon Coast. Position the cursor over the location of interest on the Oregon Coast and left click. Click on NOAA Regional Weather Forecast to view the 7 day weather forecast for your area of interest. Click on the pink colored portion of the map for your area of interest. Click on the area of the map between the coastline and the blue line defining the weather forecast 10 miles to sea. Move the cursor over your area of interest and click for a detailed 7 day weather forecast. Click HERE to view a detailed hourly forecast for weather, wind and surf conditions on the northern Oregon Coast. Click HERE to view the Marine Forecast for the northern Oregon Coast. Click HERE for the ten day weather forecast for Astoria. Click HERE for the 10 day weather forecast for Seaside. Razor Clam Forecast for Agate Beach, the North Jetty and the South Jetty for Fall 2012 - 2013 season: Successful digging for razor clams this spring has been limited. The surf has been running high so I do not expect the see much improvement until it lays down. Diggers are facing another La Nina this year and digging productivity should be similar to last year. Plan for future clamdigging and or crabbing adventures by clicking on the tidal projections at the Bar of Yaquina Bay and scroll down the desired month for 2012 and 2013. Click on 2012 to view the NOAA tidal projections for Bar at the mouth of Yaquina Bay. On 05/08 Limits scarce at Agate Beach. Diggers report the clams were necking but the diggers pounded them down. Experieced diggers were taking 8 plus clams. Clam digger Ivan and his adult daughter both dug limitis from the dry sand. On 05/06 the only limits reported are being taken next to the South Jetty. On 04/30 Razor clam digging has been tough from area beaches because the surf has been running high. Razor clam productivity was very poor during the series of spring tides in early April. ODFW checked only one digger that had taken a limit of razor clams. Digging for razor clams is more usually more productive on the front end of the series of low tides rather than the back side of the tidal series. Last December Bill reports: as shown below, my friend Bill Morris and I dug razor clams at South Beach at Yaquina Bay over the 4th and 5th and managed to dig 11 clams between us. I tried digging on the 6th and did not see any shows. It was great to dig adult clams but disturbing when we failed to dig juvenile clams. Bill
Razor clam digging from Driftwood Beach just north of the entrance to Alsea Bay at Waldport to Yachats: Plan for future clamdigging and or crabbing adventures by clicking on the tidal projections at Waldport for Alsea Bay and scroll down the desired month for 2012 and 2013. Click HERE to view the NOAA tidal projections for Waldport on Alsea Bay. This Fall clam digger John Morris walked the Yachats beach north. The beach walking was great but digging for razor clams fell short of expectations. We need current information on the razor clam digging conditions for the beaches south of Waldport. Email us with any suggestion how we can improve the information we provide at clamdigginginfo@gmail.com Bill On 05/16 razor clam diggers report digging is very slow on the beach just south of Seal Rock with a very low clam per person average but a little better by a clam or two toward Yachats. Razor Clams from Baker Beach above Florence to Southern Oregon: At one time the digging for razor clams at Heceta Beach was considered the most product for any of the beaches located south of Tillamook Head. Plan for future clamdigging and or crabbing adventures by clicking on the tidal projections for the bar at the Entrance to the Siuslaw River and scroll down the desired month for 2012 and 2013. Click on Entrance at the bar to the Siuslaw River to view the NOAA tidal projections. Baker Beach: To view the trail from Hwy 101 to north end Baker Beach click on Heceta and Baker Beach Razor Clams. Last summer ODFW reported some razor clams were dug from the northern reach of Baker Beach. I have been unable to get any information from diggers on the digging productivity at Heceta Beach. The little I have heard that it is not very productive, but that does not mean much. At one time excluding the Clatsop Spit Beaches the digging of razor clams at Heceta Beach was considered the best place to dig razor clams in Oregon ahead of Agate Beach and Meyers Beach. There are some parking permit requirements to park at the beaches north of the North Jetty of the Siuslaw River. Parking is free at the North Jetty. A Lane County parking permit is required to park at the end Heceta Beach Road. There is a fee to park at the Sutton Lake Recreational area on the west side of Hwy 101 just north of Florence except for holders of the Golden Eagle pass program. I do not know if a parking permit of any kind is required at Baker Beach via the Bake Beach Rd. Baker Beach Rd. is the northern most access road to the beaches located north of the North Jetty except for the trail that leads to Baker Beach from the turnout overlooking the beach from Hwy 101. North Jetty, Umpqua River to Sparrow Park Rd: No information available. Coos Bay Area Razor Clams: at the North Spint, inside Coos Bay from the sandy beach on the north shore and from the south shore and from Bastendorff Beach. Bastendorff Beach Razor Clams: Bastendorff Beach located between Coos Bay and Yoakum Point is listed by ODFW as a razor clam location. Razor clams are once again being dug from Bastendorff Beach but the digging productivity is inconsistent at best. North Beach Razor Clams at Coos Bay: Razor clams are dug from the sandy beach that separates the Charleston boat basin from the entrance of Coos Bay but the clam digging productivity is inconsistent at best. Razor clams are also dug from the sandy beach on the north shore just inside of the entrance to Coos Bay.Plan for future clamdigging and or crabbing adventures by clicking on the Tidal Projections for Charleston near the entrance to Coos Bay and scroll down the desired month for 2012 and 2013. Click HERE to view the NOAA tidal projections for Charleston near the entrance to Coos Bay. Whiskey Run Beach Razor Clams: Whiskey Run Beach off of Seven Devils Road allows beach access by motor vehicles and is listed by ODFW as a location to dig for razor clams. Face Rock, Bandon: No information available. Meyers Beach: Click HERE to view the location of the most productivity razor clam digging beaches south of Seaside. Clam digger Sparkypaul shares his father's experience at Meyers Beach with us. "My Father was stationed @gold beach in the coast guard ww2 era and he dug a lot of clams @ meyers beach at that time. the only time he went back was during the 60's and he said he only got 8 or 9 clams but they were huge. I've always wanted to get over there on a good set of tides and see how it is now.......one of these days!!!!! " Thanks Sparkypaul. Do your part and share you clam digging and crabbing experiences with us. Bill WEATHER FORECAST: Click the following link to view the local weather forecast for Brookings. Click on the Marine Forecast from Florence to Cape Blanco to view the marine forecast featuring Small Craft Warning. Click the following link to view the Marine Forecast for the NWS Medford Zone: Coastal waters from Cape Blanco OR to Pt. St. George CA out 10 nm (PZZ356). The following NOAA link for detailed information for the Oregon Coast is a great source for planning your razor clam digging adventures. Click on the following link to see a detailed hourly forecast for weather and surf conditions on the southern Oregon Coast. NOAA Coastal Forecast for Curry County LONG OCEAN SWELLS: Click on to view the Oregon Surf Report. Use the Stonewall Bank buoy or the St Georges buoy in place of the out of service Port Orford buoy to view the height of the long ocean swells in Southern Oregon Beaches. Use the Port Orfored buoy station 46015. to view the height of the long ocean swells. National Buoy Data Center observation reports for buoys off the Oregon Coast. Click on National Buoy Data Center to view the observations from buoys off the Oregon Coast. Email us with any suggestion how we can improve the information we provide at clamdigginginfo@gmail.com Return to Clam Watch. |
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