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Nearly early two limits of mixed species of bay clam dug for display at ClamClinic2006 by Clam Diggers Association members William Lackner Walt Summerton.
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The author, William Lackner, is a recognized authority on digging the clams common to Oregon's Coastal Waters. You may have seen him digging bay clams on the Oregon Coast Show or with weather guru Andy Carson from KPTV or in articles about digging clams in the Statesman Journal, The World Daily Newpaper in Coos Bay, Oregon Coast Today and the News Guard. Learn to dig Oregon's Clams by attending our 2011 Clam Clinic events - they are absolutely FREE, or get a head start developing your clam digging skills with the books, Oregon's Razor Clams or Oregon's Clams ; or enhance your knowledge about taking Oregon's Crabs. Always practice good clam digging and crabbing ethics. Clam digging and crabbing ethics are the future of digging Oregon's Clams or taking Oregon's Crabs. Clam Clinic 2011 Clam Clinic Siletz Bay 2011 is a great way to introduce children to clam digging and the wonders found in the marine enviornment. We will meet at the Lincoln City Library on Tuesday May 31st at 18:00 pm for a hour plus lecture on digging the clam species common to Oregon's Bays. We will meet the follow day on Wednesday June 1st at the gravel pullout just north of the Bay House Restaurant at 7:30 am to dig purple varnish clams pending the agreement of the library staff.
Clam Clinic Netarts Bay 2011 Is a up to 3 day and 2 night event. If enough people participate we will have a catered barbeque ribs and chicken? for a Saturday evening get together. The cost and menu will be announced at a later date. We plan to stay at the Cape Lookout State Park. We will meet at the Tillamook Library on Friday June 3rd at 18:00 pm for an hour plus lecture on digging the clams common to Oregon's coastal waters followed by a period for questions and answers. The Tillamook City library is located at 1716 3rd St. We will meet on Saturday morning June 4th at the turnout south of the intersection of Whiskey Creek RD and Netarts Bay RD. at 08:30 to dig gaper clams. We will meet on Sunday morning June 5th at 09:00 am to dig for the clams of your choice. Clam Clinic 2010 at Siletz Bay
Dave Randleman introduced his friend John Skelton from nearby Otis Oregon to digging clams at the Siletz Bay Clam Clinic 2010
On May19th nearly 50 participants of Clam Clinic 2010 Siletz Bay gathered to dig puprle varnish clams. Happily everyone went home with limits of clams. Click on Clam Clinic 2010 Siletz Bay then on the 4 icons on the bottom right corner of the video to play full screen. Clam Clinic 2010 at Garibaldi Tillamook Bay The librarian counterd120 clam diggers attending Clam Clinic 2010 at Garibaldi at the Tillamook County Library located at 1716 3rd St in the City of Tillamook on Saturday afternoon June 12th. The response was so great we had to have two lectures. The lectures began at 3:00 pm and 4:00 before ending at 05:30 pm. Above are some of the participants that met the following morning Sunday June 13th at 06:30 am at the Pier's End Crabbing Dock on the Garibaldi Tidal Flat to dig for gaper clams. Low tide occurs at 08:06 am PDT with a -2.05 foot low tide. Unfortunately the gaper clams failed to show and for the first time we have been holding clam digs diggers went home disappointed. CLAM CLINIC 2009
Clam Clinic Siletz Bay was a success. Twenty plus participants met on Tuesday evening 05-12 at 18:00 p.m. for the lecture at the Lincoln City Community Center.
We met the following morning at the gravel turnout located immediately just north of the Bay House restaurant to dig for purple varnish clams on Wednesday 05-13 at10:34 a.m. during a -0.37 foot low tide. Kudos to Association members Dave and Sandi Randleman who were on hand to instruct participants on the methods used to dig purple varnish clams. The 40 plus clam diggers went home with limits of purple varnish clams. Clam ClinicYaquina Bay met at the Central Lincoln PUD's meeting room on Sunday evening 05/24 at18:00 p.m. for the lecture
We met the following morning at the South Beach Marina Boat Launch at 06:00 a.m. to transport diggers to the clam digging area at the Sea Wall. Kudos to association members David Leer and Alan Kaylor who volunteered their time, energy and boats to ferry the clam diggers to the Sea Wall . More Kudos to Association members Dave and Sandi Randleman who were on hand to instruct participants on the methods used to dig gaper clams. All of the 40 plus diggers went home with limits of gaper clams. We recommend staying at Sawyers Landing and RV Park to those diggers with RVs. Include a visit to the Hatfield Marine Science Center. The displays of marine life and interactive tide pools will thrill young and old alike and it is free. Clam Clinic Garibaldi participants met for the lecture at the Tillamook County Library located at 1716 3rd St. on Tuesday evening 05-26. The lecture will began at 18:00 and ended at 20:00.
A clam dig for gaper clams was held the following morning at the Garibaldi Tidal Flat at the Pier's End fishing pier. Once again Kudos to Association members Dave and Sandi Randleman who were on hand to instruct participants on the methods used to dig gaper clams. Nearly all of the 25 plus diggers went home with limits of gaper clams. Oregon Chris used a clam pump shrimp gun to pump his limit of 12 gaper clams - Chris's first limit of gaper clams. Clam Clinic Seaside
Clam Clinic Seaside 2009 was went better than expected for an inugural event. On 06/23 approximately 40 participants attended the lecture series portion of Clam Clinic Seaside 2009.
On the following morning we met at the public parking lot located at the ocean end of 12 Ave. Clam digger and association member Steve and I were the first diggers on the beach at 05:30 and we were greeted by several razor clams donutting in the wet sand. I'll just bet if we were on the beach at daybreak we would have found razor clams showing. The clams were deep and I managed to dig only 1 of the first 3 that showed.
Steve struck out managing to dig only 1 razor clam for all the effort he put into it. I returned to the parking lot to greet the other diggers and my physician Dr Alison Ma and her husband Mike both of whom are new to digging clams. We departed the parking lot sharply at 06:15. and the diggers dispersed evenly along the beach. Fifty percent of the diggers dug limits of razor clams while the remainder managed to dig between zero and two to four plus clams. I dug a half of dozen clams in the surf using the method recommended by ODFW's Matt Hunter. I have experienced the disappointment of the diggers who did not do well and well as the satisifation of those that did well. One couple dug a combined total of twenty razor clams mostly from the wet sand. I cannot understate the importance to those new to digging razor clams of being on the beach 2 plus hours before low tide and digging though to the change in tide.
Clam Clinic Coos Bay 2009 met on Wednesday 07-22 at18:00 p.m. for a lecture at the RV Park at the Charleston Marina Complex. Host Susan Smith, her staff and RV Park residents shined like diamonds in the ruff in preparing for our lecture. Scott Groth the south coast shellfish biologist for ODFW and ODFW staff biologist, Stacy were terrific and a high point of the lecture. Scott showed series of slides he had taken of the clams common to Coos Bay and Stacy spoke about the goals of the Shellfish and Estuarine Assessment of coastal Oregon (SEACOR) project.
The photo above shows some of the clam diggers new to digging clams digging Empire clams on the tidal flats at the Charleston Triangle. Tom Greener of Cave Junction in the photo on the left holds up the gaper clam he dug for his son to see. Bonnie form Idaho proudly displays her first Empire clam and Bob not to be out done shows his first Empire clam. Clam digger William and his family drove from Reno Nevada to participate in our clam dig. Once again we owe our thanks to Dave and Sandi Randleman of Shingle Springs Calif via Lincoln City for taking the time to show those new to digging Empire clams the dos and don'ts.
The lecture was followed by a clam dig for gaper clams on the large tidal flat known locally as the Charleston Triangle. We met at the public easement at end of S. Roosevelt ST. at 06:30 a.m. to dig for gaper and butter clams. Most everyone went home with limits of gaper clams. Most all of the diggers were new to digging gaper clams and the take varied between juvenile clams and medium sized clams but was dominated by the smaller sized clams. The Charleston Triangle is a very popular digging area and the small average size of the gaper clams addresses the issue of over digging so common in many of Oregon's Bays. The razor clams dug from area beaches are an added bonus for those of you seeking additional recreational clam digging opportunities. According to ODFW the razor clam digging at Whiskey Run Creek has been mixed. ODFW has unconfirmed reports that razor clams are showing at Bastendorff Beach. ODFW also reports that razor clam digging has been good on the sand spit on the seaward approach to the Charleston Boat Basin. To get there take the Cape Arago Hwy to Boat Basin RD. Turn right and drive to the Alaskan Packers RD. Park and walk over the dune to the sandy beach. To access Bastendorff Beach take the Cape Arago Hwy to Bastendorff Beach Road ODFW reports that digging razor clams on the sandy portion of the north spit inside the bay has been very productive. To get there turn west from Hwy 101 onto the Trans Pacific Hwy otherwise known as the Menasha Dike. Veer to the right at the Jordan Cove Rd. and to the left at the Horsfall Beach Rd. Follow the Trans Pacific Parkway Rd. until the pavement ends, then continue until you get to the north jetty. People visiting the north jetty also get there by following the Trans Pacific Parking to the Horsfall cutoff to Horsfall Beach . Then take the Beach Rd. south to the north jetty. I spoke to the clerk at the Bites On tackle shop in Empire and he said he prefers the beach road to get to the north jetty. Digging for clams during the outgoing tide on the North Spit offers the opportunity to fish for redtail surf perch on the incoming tide. Currently the fishing for redtail perch on North Beach has been good.The Bite's On Tackle Shop at 750 Newmark Ave in the community of Empire is located just up the street from the Empire Boat Launch can supply all of your fishing tackle, crabbing and clam digging equipment needs. Englund Marine located just around the corner on the Cape Arago Hwy can outfit you with all of the equipment to meet your clam digging and fishing tackle needs. The MILL CASINO located on HWY 101 in Coos Bay offers excitement and entertainment for those of you who are young at heart. You will not want to miss any of our Clam Clinic events. Remember everyone is welcome. You can attend any of our clam clinic events without charge - they are absolutely FREE. Clam Clinic 2008 Clam Clinic 2008 was a tremendous success. Nearly everyone who attended the Clam Clinic Lecture at the Driftwood Library participated in the clam dig the following morning.
Everyone went home with limits of purple varnish clams dug from Siletz Bay Clam Clinic 2008. Clam Clinic 2008 Yaquina Bay was a spetacular opportunity to dig
gaper clams on an isolated tidal flat surrounded on all sides by water located in the middle of Yaquina Bay. Future Yaquina Bay clam clinics will be two day events. We have presenting a lecture complete with slides the evening prior to the dig. Clam Clinic 2008 Coos Bay was a tremendous success sponsored by the Charleston Marina Complex and Englund Marine.
Clam Clinic 2008 Coos Bay began with a 2 hour lecture with an accompanying slide presentation describing how to dig razor and bay clams. The lecture and slide presentation were held at the RV Park Recreation Hall on Wednesday June, 04 at 6:00 pm. The gaper clam dig occurred the following morning, Thursday June, 05 on the tidal flats located on Clam Island. Everyone went home happy as a clam with limits of clams. Click HERE to see a video of the gaper clam dig. Click the back button to return to here. My fellow clam diggers, Clam Clinic 2008 was an overwhelming success. The success of our Clam Clinics belongs to those who participated. Thank You. ODFW CRABBING AND CLAM DIGGING CLASS SCHEDULE
Join ODFW at Newport on October 16th at their crabbing workshop to teach you the art of catching these wily crustaceans. Reservations required for this one. This workshop will be held near Newport. The registration fee $40.00 per adult $10.00 per child ages 12 to 17 with children under 12 free. The fees include the use of all necessary equipment, instruction/materials and lunch. Click the link above for the details.
The following ODFW classes are being held in the Coos Bay area. RSVP at 541 888 3307 ext 235. Join ODFW at the Bandon Boardwalk Shelter at 6:00 pm on tuesday evening July 13th for a one hour lecture on digging clams and crabbing. Join ODFW at the Coos Bay Library at 5:00 pm on Friday evening July 23rd for a one hour lecture on digging clams and crabbing. Join ODFW at the Charleston Marina Complex RV Park Rec Room at 7:00 am on Tuesday morning July 27th for a lecture on digging clams and crabbing. ODFW follows up the class with a clam dig Join ODFW at the Charleston Marina Complex RV Park Rec Room at 8:00 am on Saturday morning August 14th for a lecture on digging clams and crabbing. ODFW follow up the class with a clam dig.. PHOTO GALLERY OF EVENTS Click HERE to view photo gallery of clam digging activities. Participate! Share your clam digging adventures and recipes with us. Post your photographs and clam recipes by emailing them to us at williamlackner001@msn.com CLAM DIGGERS ASSOCIATION OF OREGON The Clam Diggers Association of Oregon is a tax exempt organization under section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Mission: "To Promote Recreational Clam Digging in Oregon's Coastal Waters". Our agenda has been developed through research and discussion among the membership of the association, and is a dynamic and living document. Support the Clam Diggers Association of Oregon.Your contributions are tax deductible. You are investing in your recreational interests when you support the Association's activities, such as the expenses of our Clam Clinics, the Association's website and the travel expense of representing your interest the interest of recreational clam diggers and crabbers at various meetings. Purchasing a 24 foot boat to ferry clam diggers to the premier clam beds in Oregon’s Bays is one of our goals. Unlike some of the other Associations in Oregon, every dime that has ever been donated to the Clam Diggers Association has been spent in our continuing effort to represent your recreational interests and not on salaries and fringe benefits of the Association members. The Association activities have been supported by a handful of dedicated individuals who give of their time and money. They are clam diggers and crabbers just like you. Being a member of the Association is free, but if you are in a position to donate, please do so. Membership in the Clam Diggers Association is FREE! No Dues! Your opinion counts! Share your views on digging Oregon's Clams with us to have your voice heard. If you do not have a computer, send your name and contact information to the Clam Diggers Association, P.O. Box 746 Newport, OR 97365, or enroll by emailing your name, address and telephone number to williamlackner001@msn.com Get a head start on your clam digging skills by purchasing Oregon's Razor Clams for $11.90 or Oregon's Clams for $13.20. Send a check or money order to Digging Clams in Oregon, P.O. BOX 746, Newport, OR 97365. Or click HERE to purchase with a credit or debit card using PayPal the most widely accepted way to pay for purchases on the Internet. RELATED LINKS OF INTEREST FOR CLAM DIGGERS Related links of interest to the NOAA Tide Tables for you area, ODFW Shellfish Regulations, Shellfish Hot Line Closures and the link to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's OHV Guide for ATV enthusiast Return to Oregon's Razor Clams, Return to Oregon's Clams, Return to Clam Clinic 2011 or Oregon's Crabs. |
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