Lawson's clamming

I hear the clam pumps are controversial because they work so quickly and can be used to take clams even when the beds are underwater. Basically a hand operated version of what the commercial divers use to take geoducks in the Pacific Northwest. Definitely an efficient way to do it.

They are still legal currently because they are hand operated, but if you used a powered pump it would definitely be illegal.

I wonder how well those work in different substrate. Sand looks great but what of gravel, mud, etc?

I hear the clam pumps are controversial because they work so quickly and can be used to take clams even when the beds are underwater. Basically a hand operated version of what the commercial divers use to take geoducks in the Pacific Northwest. Definitely an efficient way to do it.

They are still legal currently because they are hand operated, but if you used a powered pump it would definitely be illegal.

Is it true that each clam needs to be dig up by one person only without assistance, otherwise, that clam must count towards to both people's limit? I have never done clamming, so hoping to get some clarification. This pump definitely could save backs, but if this question is true, the pump might not be as attractive.

I hear the clam pumps are controversial because they work so quickly and can be used to take clams even when the beds are underwater. Basically a hand operated version of what the commercial divers use to take geoducks in the Pacific Northwest. Definitely an efficient way to do it.

They are still legal currently because they are hand operated, but if you used a powered pump it would definitely be illegal.

Is it true that each clam needs to be dig up by one person only without assistance, otherwise, that clam must count towards to both people's limit? I have never done clamming, so hoping to get some clarification. This pump definitely could save backs, but if this question is true, the pump might not be as attractive.

That’s not how it’s enforced here but you might call the local office and ask them. It’s also a good question for Carrie Wilson.  It’s possible a similar question has been asked of her already, might be worth a search.

Up here as long as the clammed is actively participating it doesn’t matter whose limit the clam ends up in. A parent child team working one of these could take 100 clams.

I don't remember seeing that rule, but there are other rules I know of such as you have to keep and retain any gaper and Washington clam you dig up regardless of it's size or condition if it's within your limit.  AKA you can't throw back small or mangled ones. A piece of clam can count as 1 clam so if you rip the siphon off a clam and have it's body that could be counted as 2 clams if it's not clear that it came from that clam.  Just be careful when pulling them up.

1 thing we do is check clam depth with a small stick and only go for the ones higher up.  My tube is only 6'' x 24''

Also fill in your holes.

There are, unfortunately, not the more sustainable clammers out there as every time I go I see remnants of massive holes being dug and not filled in which destroys the clam beds.

I do wish that you would have to actively dig up your own clam as it is common to see groups keep 10 clams per small child, which seems excessive, but is legal.

Regardless, clamming is pretty great and they are extremely tasty in many different ways.  I've also been combing through google maps looking at some off the beaten path possible clam beds to try a new place out.

I don't remember seeing that rule, but there are other rules I know of such as you have to keep and retain any gaper and Washington clam you dig up regardless of it's size or condition if it's within your limit.  AKA you can't throw back small or mangled ones. A piece of clam can count as 1 clam so if you rip the siphon off a clam and have it's body that could be counted as 2 clams if it's not clear that it came from that clam.  Just be careful when pulling them up.

1 thing we do is check clam depth with a small stick and only go for the ones higher up.  My tube is only 6'' x 24''

Also fill in your holes.

There are, unfortunately, not the more sustainable clammers out there as every time I go I see remnants of massive holes being dug and not filled in which destroys the clam beds.

I do wish that you would have to actively dig up your own clam as it is common to see groups keep 10 clams per small child, which seems excessive, but is legal.

Regardless, clamming is pretty great and they are extremely tasty in many different ways.  I've also been combing through google maps looking at some off the beaten path possible clam beds to try a new place out.

I should refill shrimp holes as well I suspect...

I do wish that you would have to actively dig up your own clam as it is common to see groups keep 10 clams per small child, which seems excessive, but is legal.

That is absolutely not legal.

I do wish that you would have to actively dig up your own clam as it is common to see groups keep 10 clams per small child, which seems excessive, but is legal.

That is absolutely not legal.

They kids need to actively participate and should be capable of taking a limit entirely on their own without help.

I do wish that you would have to actively dig up your own clam as it is common to see groups keep 10 clams per small child, which seems excessive, but is legal.

That is absolutely not legal.

I'm not sure that's true.  Kids can hold the bag/bucket and count the clams.  Kids on a boat going out for crabs aren't expected to haul the traps to be able to keep a limit. 

That said, we've never taken clams to help our kids fill a limit.  They usually go off on their own and collect what they can find and often times they find a limit of clams that people have left. 

I do wish that you would have to actively dig up your own clam as it is common to see groups keep 10 clams per small child, which seems excessive, but is legal.

That is absolutely not legal.

I'm not sure that's true.  Kids can hold the bag/bucket and count the clams.  Kids on a boat going out for crabs aren't expected to haul the traps to be able to keep a limit. 

The latter would fall under boat limits. Similarly you could catch a limit of rockfish for your kids on a boat whereas you couldn't fishing from shore. When abs were open was it legal to grab a limit of abs for someone on the surface who was otherwise unable to dive down and pop them?

I do wish that you would have to actively dig up your own clam as it is common to see groups keep 10 clams per small child, which seems excessive, but is legal.

That is absolutely not legal.

I'm not sure that's true.  Kids can hold the bag/bucket and count the clams.  Kids on a boat going out for crabs aren't expected to haul the traps to be able to keep a limit. 

The latter would fall under boat limits. Similarly you could catch a limit of rockfish for your kids on a boat whereas you couldn't fishing from shore. When abs were open was it legal to grab a limit of abs for someone on the surface who was otherwise unable to dive down and pop them?

Boat limits only apply to finfish. Crab and clams should be treated the same.

Boat limits only apply to finfish. Crab and clams should be treated the same.

So on party boats, do customers pull the traps or do the crew winch them up, then hand bags of crab to everyone?

Boat limits only apply to finfish. Crab and clams should be treated the same.

So on party boats, do customers pull the traps or do the crew winch them up, then hand bags of crab to everyone?

I didn’t say they are treated the same.  I said they should be treated the same.

So you think on party boats, each customer should pull up their own 10 crab? Seems dangerous and pointless to make each customer work a winch.

I hear the clam pumps are controversial because they work so quickly and can be used to take clams even when the beds are underwater. Basically a hand operated version of what the commercial divers use to take geoducks in the Pacific Northwest. Definitely an efficient way to do it.

They are still legal currently because they are hand operated, but if you used a powered pump it would definitely be illegal.

Is it true that each clam needs to be dig up by one person only without assistance, otherwise, that clam must count towards to both people's limit? I have never done clamming, so hoping to get some clarification. This pump definitely could save backs, but if this question is true, the pump might not be as attractive.

That’s not how it’s enforced here but you might call the local office and ask them. It’s also a good question for Carrie Wilson.  It’s possible a similar question has been asked of her already, might be worth a search.

Up here as long as the clammed is actively participating it doesn’t matter whose limit the clam ends up in. A parent child team working one of these could take 100 clams.

True around here too the kid has to be actively help or else the adult will be over limit. I've encountered a lot of dfg officers at lawson's and if they're watching you and you're just sitting around and someone is digging your clams regardless if you have a license, you will get ticketed. Seen so many people get to tickets there.