Skip to content

Seaside Stories

Digging for the Bounty!

October 7, 2012 | by Jon Rahl

I still consider myself the new guy in town when it comes to learning about recreational fishing along Oregon’s North Coast. And with a new clamming season kicking off this past week, I felt it was time to hit the beach and learn the ropes of a popular pastime on the Clatsop County beaches.
Razor clamming has long been a favorite of locals and many visitors. And chances are good you’ve seen them arm deep in the sand, carrying a strange looking clamming “gun” or walking through “rigid vegetation” (also referred to as dune grass) with a small net or bag attached to their waist after a morning dig.
Watching them has always been fascinating; I knew they were carrying razor clams in those nets, and I knew their gun or shovel was to help them catch the little guys, but when was the best time to hit the beach? What else did I need to know to help me get involved in this sport?
THE BASICS
I turned to resident clamming expert Keith Chandler to guide me through the process. Keith manages the Seaside Aquarium by day but is often found staking claim to the Seaside beaches during early morning or late afternoon low tides to catch his limit of 15 razor clams per day. Keith is old school with his approach to digging for clams. He uses the same shovel he’s used for years and his good buddy Dave Pastor (who also joined us for our morning dig) referred to him as a fish because his method often involves lurking into a few feet of water to ensure a good day clamming.
While Keith uses a shovel to dig a hole, he introduces me to the sport by loaning me use of a cylindrical gun. The gun itself is about 30 inches in length and has two handles with a small air hole on one side to help capture the sand (and hopefully razor clam) as you mine the beach.
THE DIG
With our tools in hand, we take to walking along the shoreline looking for a “show.” The show is a dime-sized hole that may contain a circular set of air pockets Keith referred to as a donut and it’s our indicator that a clam lurks beneath. If you’ve found a hole or donut, it’s time to start digging. With my gun ready to go, I place the open cylinder over a donut hole and gently move the gun back and forth until it’s well into the ground. Then I place my finger over the handle hole to create suction and pull up what’s beneath. Releasing my finger from the hole dumps the sand and I quickly search for my catch. I don’t see anything so Keith encourages me to dig again (in the same hole) because razors can only go up or down and not side to side. My fourth attempt yields one of the little guys and I felt as if I’d struck gold. What an exciting feeling to have succeeded so quickly. And with that, I was hooked!
That net I mentioned earlier is now attached to my belt and I drop my single catch into the net as we continue our march along the beach for another show. As far as catches go, we weren’t extremely successful this past Monday (I finished with one, Keith and Dave caught two each and our other buddy Justin came away empty handed). But the sun-filled, crisp fall morning left me itching for the next morning low tide.
THE AFTERMATH
With a total catch of five, there were two things left to learn about razor clamming: how to clean them and how to prepare them for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Keith admitted to usually passing his catch along to the thankful sea creatures at his Aquarium, but he graciously agreed to walk me through the cleaning and preparation process for cooking.
As with most things, the art of cleaning is a learned skill that takes practice. A good resource with diagrams can be found here. If you prefer to learn by video, try this. And if you aren’t handy with a knife or are uncomfortable cleaning clams, seek out a local expert who would be happy to help you learn.
THE MEAL
With my freshly cleaned catch in hand, I headed to Norma’s Seafood & Steak and asked owner Randy Frank to explain to me his process for cooking razor clams. Norma’s uses a three-step approach to batter the clams: they start in flour, are quickly lathered in a mixture of egg and sea salt, then coated in corn meal and cooked quickly in a deep fryer. For a home kitchen, a fry pan coated with melted butter does the trick, and 30-45 seconds of high heat on each side yields a meal that is very satisfying. Randy and his crew at Norma’s serve their razors with a lemon wedge and their famous tartar sauce. I didn’t have either at home, but enjoyed my meal nonetheless when I cooked up my catch in my own kitchen later that day.

 

THE SUMMARY
I’ll be completely honest and say that I’ve never considered myself a fisherman of any sort, but this experience was fun! Not only did it get me out on our beautiful beach, but I found it rewarding to catch my own meal while enjoying the natural wonders of our coastline. Do you have a fishing story? Please share your experience by commenting below. See you in Seaside!
Editor’s Note: It’s important to note that the first 15 razor clams (if you are so fortunate) must be retained regardless of size or condition, and removing the clam from the shell is not allowed before leaving the harvesting area. Shovels, nets and licenses can be found at several locations throughout Seaside. For a complete list, please call the Visitors Bureau 503-738-3097. Additional information can be found at this link.

Leave a Reply

and so much more!

The Columbia River Maritime Museum: On the Water’s Edge

A visit to the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria.

Say Chēz: Destiny Deras’ New Cheese Shop and Wine Bar

“Wine and cheese are ageless companions,” says American food writer M.F.K. Fisher. With the much-anticipated opening of Chēz ...

7 places to maximize indoor fun in Seaside, Oregon

How to vacation in Seaside, Oregon when the weather is cool and wet; hint: food, culture and fun....

How to Sip Coffee Like a Local

Want your favorite coffee drink for free? Easy! Help us keep the beach clean and your coffee is on us. Seaside has something for e...

The Best Part of Waking Up

Delicious breakfast dining at favorite Seaside local hot spots.

Summer’s Great, but There’s Nothing Else like Winter in Seaside

When you imagine a classic beach town, you probably picture something similar to Seaside, Oregon. Our town of 6,700 sits less than...

Accessible Adventures For Everyone

Seaside is open — and easy — for folks of all abilities. From where to stay to what to do, we’ve got a rundown of tips to ma...

The Scoop on Sea Star Gelato: Douglass and Tanya Lintow

No beach town is complete without an ice cream stand. There’s just something about a cool, creamy ice cream-topped cone that mak...

Why This Family Comes Back To Seaside Year After Year

The calm waters of the Necanicum River in Seaside, Oregon. Photo: Alex Butterfield There’s something comfortingly classic about ...

Beauty and the Beach (and a Photo Bomb)

The sundial in Seaside has been around since the 1940s - you can check it out on the promenade today.

Terrible Tilly: Stowing Away the Years

Perched atop solid rock more than a mile offshore from Tillamook Head, the notorious Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, (nicknamed “Terr...

Oregon Coast: Lodgings with a Tale to Tell

Historic coastal inn in Seaside, Oregon

Clamming in Seaside: Then & Now

A brief look at clamming in Seaside and Tillamook Head and a comparison of how they

Pedal Boating through Seaside

Paddle boating Seaside is another unique way to see Seaside while getting a little exercise in the process.

Hot Summer Car Shows help usher in the summer season in Seaside.
Hot Summer Car Shows

Two Seaside car shows help usher in and wind down the summer travel season

Building a Seaside Mountain Biking Culture

The Oregon Coast is widely recognized as the setting for many incredible outside activities. Located at the end of Lewis and Clark...

Grant’s Getaways: Paddling the Neawanna in Seaside

If our summer heat wave is getting the best of you – sapping your energy and leaving you feeling generally uncomfortable, perhap...

A Tradition of Tea

Seaside has a 26 year tradition it loves to share with visitors. Those in town for the holiday season are invited to step back in ...