Tomales clam fest

Sean, do those signs along Tomales bay park warning of the mercury levels not apply to those clams?
If not I know what I am doing this weekend. Those guys are HUGE!

Yeah, what's your take on Mercury levels in our central/northern ocean fish, Sean?

Pat

SCWAFISH Clan,

You guys are truly living the life. 
Striper fishing, Turkey hunting and Clamming all within a week, during the "off season".

I'm so jealous.  I had to work on Sunday

Stuart

I'll field the mercury question, but I'll leave the final say to Sean since he is our local biologist.  My understanding is that the clams are pretty fast growing and don't harbor much mercury.  They are not on the do not eat list from the DFG or even on the take it easy list.  Because they are filter feeders you would think that they may accumulate the mercury, but so far everyone says that it isn't so.   I have a 4 year old and am always careful when it comes to feeding the little ones.  We have 2 marine biologist friends who live out at the beach and they say the clams are fine also.

Thanks Dave.
Ill try it out.
If I grow a tail Ill let everyone know.

Matt:  A solid question.  I don't know the real reason, but I do know that the clams are very safe.  I know the DFG biologist that did all of the mercury testing in Tomales, and I asked him this same question.  For whatever reason, bivalves aka clams oysters etc. do not efficiently accumulate mercury.  He also said the flatties in Tomales were quite clean.  He said he wouldn't eat a leopard from there on a bet.

Stu:  Life is GOOD!  Jelly and the kids are nuts for the oudoors, and we are just having a great time now that everyone is big enough to participate.  Paige is about to get her first yak...the begining of the end!

Sean,

Right on!!!!  I hope my girls follow suit.  But right now, I'll settle for getting the little one potty trained and out of diaps.

Since the little one is getting easier, my wife assures me I'll be out on the water a little more.  We'll have to wait and see though. 

Stuart

Thanks Sean,
Any tips, advice for a newb?
I have seen it done but dont have much a clue except to bring a shovel.
Matt

also are these clams able for us to eat raw?

Dave is the clam master, that was my first time too using this technique.  I SUCKED at the first few, but got better as we went.  Maybe Dave can do a how-to and get a shirt?  I wouldn't eat them ramw BTW, but they make excellent chowder.  We also dug up a number of nice ghosties in the process.

Thanks. Wont be eating them raw till I hear they are ok.

Dave, what say to a nice "how to" article for all us newbs???

Please include locations.  Any in Monterey County?

Pat

I'll work on a "how to" for you guys.  It is more of a " you have to see it to believe it" type of event, but I will do my best.
Dave

Thanks Dave...

BTW,
I'm living proof that you can eat em raw (Tomales). 

We'd cut off the pecker end (can I say that Bill??), and quickly blanch it w/hot water to make it a little easier to peel the skin off.  They definitely taste better than they look.

The cut out bucket that Dave used is a real good idea (to prevent hole cave in).

PS, you will get extremely dirty!!!

Stuart

stuart, thanks for the 411........
Maybe Ill become a pro and bring some to the next get together....