Mission:

To obtain the allotted amount of Razor Clams per person (60 to be exact) deemed sufficient, by the Alaskan Department of Fish and Game, for the continual growth of the razor clam population.

Location:

Ninilchik, Alaska (due west of Homer on the Kenai Peninsula)

Time of Year:

Summer.  Only at the lowest of low tides

Tools/Things to Bring:

-      Rain Boots (in my case these were my oh so stylish black Chooka rain boots with baby blue polka dots.  For most Alaskan’s it’s XtraTuffs: the number one necessary footwear of every fisherman/woman/child in Alaska.  They have even been spotted in the bar…yep XtraTuffs in the bar)

-       Rain or Waterproof Pants (you are going to get wet)

-       Hat (it’s cold in Alaska)

-       Fleece (dries quick)

-       Shovels (for digging)

-       Buckets (for placing the clams in)

-       A keen sense of adventure (these suckers are quick)

The Day

On Monday July 4^th, 2011, most American families were gearing up for hometown parades, fireworks, backyard BBQs, and fun with family and friends.  I was headed out to Ninilchik with Evan, Mimi, and Terry Mach ready for a day of clam digging: an Alaskan activity that is quite popular on America’s birthday.  As we approached our destination we traversed down a dirt road pointed in the direction of the coast, watched as Terry threw the truck into four-wheel drive, and then continued our drive right onto the beach.  We drove along the seashore for about a mile before finding the perfect spot to park the truck and unload our gear.

Once we had garbed ourselves in the proper clam digging attire we strolled out onto the wet sand watching as the tide began to creep lower and lower.  In order to clam dig, the Alaskan tide has to be at it lowest of lows. Terry then picked up a shovel and began to show us how to dig for clams.  I just kind of stood there in awe watching as the one and only Terry Mach made this crazy Alaskan tradition look WAY too easy.

Below you will find completed instructions on how to dig for clams.  Welcome to the University of Alaska “How To” program and please, students, no disruptions in class.

Clam Digging 101:

Step 1: Find Pock Mark.

Amble around the beach looking for little pock marked holes that are the only provided evidence that a clam does indeed exist burrowed among the sand.

Step 2: Dig with Shovel.

Once you have found, or think you may have found, one of these said holes, next, you dig.  There is in fact an art to this shovel digging.  First you take one big scoop in front of the clam pockmark, and then you scrape away as much sand as you can without destroying the little bugger as he rapidly scrambles away from you.

Step 3: Dig with Hands (hastily).

After you have produced something resembling a dug out hole in the sand, you then, or at least in my case, frantically hurl your shovel to the side (I almost took out Evan a couple of times), drop to your knees, and, as fast as your hands can go, start to dig/feel in the sand for Mr. Clammy.  He is considerably quick, due to his “foot” that looks something like a sucker, which he uses to propel his way deeper into the sand.   Like any living creature, he does NOT want to get caught, so you must be speedy.

Step 4: Feel for Neck of Clam.

Owing to the large hole you have just dug you ought to find yourself shoulder deep in sopping wet sand, at which point you should be able to feel for/find Mr. Clam.  The key to this step is to grasp his neck (not his shell), because, much to my surprise their shells are quite fragile and will break, whereas the neck is much more sturdy and easier to grip.

Step 5: Pull Clam Out.

As soon as you have placed a firm grip on Mr. Clam’s neck, you then, slowly, because you don’t want his neck to break nor do you want him to slip out of your fingers, pull him up and out of the sand. Voila you have now caught your first clam!  Congrats!

Step 6: Place in Bucket.

Following your clam victory dance, or in my case inspecting how funky they look, you place Mr. Clam into a bucket full of water.  He is still alive and you want to keep him that way until you cut, clean and separate him from his shell (a process we went through back at the Mach household).

Class dismissed.

Afterthought

My first initial attempts at clam digging were rather frustrating endeavors that began with exclamations that sounded something like this, “Ummm you want me to first stick my hand in that dark, scary hole and then pull a slimy creature out of it (with, of course, the classic eyebrows raised, excuse me look)?”  BUT, after I caught my first one and really started to get the hang of it, I found it a really fun activity that became something like a game between the clam and me.  Mono-e-mono.  I think the thought process in my head went something like this, “Ok Mr. Clam you are going down,” as I would fling my shovel, yet again, across the sand and frantically go after him with all my might.  Tucker-1. Clam-0.   Unfortunately, however, they would sometimes get away.  But heck if they had enough tenacity and guts to fight their way through that thick, wet sand, then, well, they valiantly earned the right to live another year.  Until next time Mr. Clam!