Well now, I reckon we talk a bit about them clams and the tides down by the ocean. If you ain’t never been clamming, you don’t know what you’re missin’. I’ve seen folks head down to Ocean Shores, Washington, for a good ol’ clam dig, and let me tell ya, it ain’t no small business. You gotta time it right, or you’ll be sittin’ there all day and come home with nothin’ but sand in your shoes.
So, here’s the deal. Clams, they like to bury themselves deep in the sand when the tide goes low. That’s why you gotta know when the tide’s comin’ in and goin’ out. I remember when I was a young gal, we’d all gather up, wait for the low tide, and march right down to the beach. And I’m tellin’ ya, the best time to go is when the tide’s all the way out. That’s when them clams are closest to the surface, and you can dig ‘em up easier.
Now, let’s talk about the tides: The tides, they come and go, just like the seasons. Over at Point Brown, near Ocean Shores, they’ve got some tide charts that tell ya when the best times are to head out. Say, on Tuesday, November 19th, they got a high tide comin’ in at 11:09 PM. Well, that’s too late for clamming, but that low tide earlier in the day, that’s prime time! You’ll want to check the tide tables for when the low tide is closest to the time you wanna go. Can’t be too careful with the tides; they can turn on ya faster than you can blink.
Now, as for where to go clamming, Ocean Shores itself is a good spot. But I’ve heard folks say that places like Long Beach, a little ways south, that’s where you really wanna be. They got a big stretch of sand and mud, perfect for them razor clams. It’s the best time to head out when the tide’s low, ‘cause them razor clams like to bury down deep in the wet sand, and that’s when you can catch ‘em.
What’s the best way to catch ‘em, you ask? Well, you gotta have the right tools. You don’t just go out there with your hands and expect to get much. Nah, you need yourself a clam shovel or a clam gun. These are like long tubes that help you dig deep into the sand. You gotta be quick, though. Once the tide starts to come in, you better pack up, ‘cause those clams’ll go deeper than you can dig, and you won’t be able to get ‘em no more.
When the tide’s low, you’ll see little holes poppin’ up in the sand. Those are clam holes. Now, they ain’t always easy to spot, but once you get the hang of it, you can find ‘em like nobody’s business. Once you see one, get your shovel or gun in there, dig ‘round, and pull out the clam. It’s a real thrill when you catch one, I tell ya. Makes all that hard work worth it.
Now, you might be wonderin’: Why is it that clams like low tide so much? Well, it’s ‘cause that’s when they’re not buried too deep in the sand. When the water’s high, they go deeper to stay safe. But when the tide goes out, they’re up near the surface, and that’s when it’s time to get ‘em.
Of course, there’s other places around here where folks go clamming, too. Over in the Mid-Atlantic coast, they’ve got some good places for clamming, too. You might even find a few clams in the squishy mud, but it’s a mess to dig ‘em up that way. You’ll get yourself stuck in the mud more than you’ll find clams, that’s for sure. The sandy bottoms are always the best, especially if they’re a little mucky. It’s just the way them clams like it.
But before you head out clamming, there’s some things you gotta remember: Make sure you’ve got your shellfish license. You can’t just go out there and start diggin’ without one. The last thing you want is the game warden comin’ up to you and askin’ for your license. You don’t want to be gettin’ in trouble over some clams, that’s for sure.
And don’t forget to check the weather, too. If the wind’s blowin’ too hard or it’s gonna rain, you might wanna wait for a better day. The beach ain’t no place to be messin’ around if the weather’s bad. You want it to be nice and calm, so you can enjoy yourself and get a good haul.
Once you’ve got your clams, it’s time to head home and cook ‘em up. Some folks like to steam ‘em, others like to fry ‘em up in a pan. Me, I’m partial to a good clam chowder. But however you cook ‘em, there’s nothin’ better than a fresh catch right from the ocean.
So, in short: If you want to go clamming down at Ocean Shores, make sure you time the tides right. You want to head out when the tide’s low, and you gotta have the right tools. Long Beach is a great spot if you’re after razor clams, but don’t forget your license and check the weather. And most of all, have fun! There’s nothin’ like a good day out on the beach, and if you time it right, you’ll be comin’ home with a bucket full of clams to cook up and enjoy.
Tags：[Clamming, Ocean Shores, Tides, Razor Clams, Beach, Washington, Low Tide, Clam Digging, Clam Shovel, Tide Table, Grays Harbor, Ocean Shore Activities]
