Since I live in Ipswich and I enjoy steamer clams and the outdoors, it was easy for me to pick up clamming as a hobby. I went out earlier this month with some friends to Eagle Hill Cove in Ipswich. Pictured in the photos are Curtis Hermann (middle photo) and Marc Rogers.
When searching for soft shell clams, or steamers, all you need is a clam fork, basket, two-inch gauge, and shellfish permit from a coastal town. There is technique involved.
Begin by looking for holes in tidal flat areas and use the clam fork to dig down deep enough to get the clams. You need to start digging in an area about one or two feet in front of where you see clam holes, then dig forward about five or six inches at a time, until you have dug as deep as you can. Once you have dug a trench up to the area where you know the clams are present, be careful to dig a few inches behind the clam holes and straight down to avoid crushing the shells. You should then dig forward or sideways from your dug out area toward areas where you see more clam holes. Sounds simple, but it helps to go with someone who knows how your first time.
My ten year-old daughter is strong enough to dig for soft shell clams on her own with a small fork. Kids enjoy trying to dig, helping to measure the clams, and hunting for clams, sea worms and crabs.
Harvesting blue mussels is much easier - as simple as finding rocky areas along the coast and removing the mussels by hand and placing them in a bucket. My kids enjoy filling their buckets with mussels while exploring tidal pools looking for different species of crabs, sea stars, periwinkles, snails, and other sea creatures.
When you buy your shellfish permit, you will be given a map and instructions about how to make sure that shellfish areas are open before you go. In Ipswich, one phone call to a recorded message hotline lets you know if areas are closed. (Some shellfish areas close periodically due to bacterial pollution after significant rainfalls or due to red tide). Information about recreational shellfish regulations.
Enjoy Massachusetts’ shellfish resources!
So a friend in Port Angeles tells me some time ago that his stesir in Olympia who hardly knows me has a picture of me eating oysters that she clipped from their local newspaper. There must be some mistake, a doppleganger or something of the like I exclaimed. I was not in Olympia eating oysters and I confidently dismiss this as a mistake. I am assured with equal confidence that there is no mistake. Months later I am presented with the proof of my chance attendance in the Open Farm. A hillarious published picture of me chewing on an oyster shell that has travelled to and fro to my shagrin. I stopped only for a bushel! I must have been charmed by that beauty in rubber boots. Sorry I missed you this year. Keep making those clusters!
Posted by: Matz | 10/07/2012 at 08:12 PM
fishing is a good sport not only for body but also for your spirit. i like fishing, especially enjoying the course of fishing not the result, of course, if you can get more fishes, it is good, if you did't get anything, it dose't matter, you enjoy the course. you make the good times.
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