Clamming is a simple way to spend time relaxing with the
family. Clams are fairly easy to find, simple to cook and wont
spoil as quick as some seafood. Recreational clammers
catch clams using rakes, wading, by signing, or other means.
Many areas are accessible by foot, while boaters can
explore even more possibilities. In some areas, local guides are
available to assist visitors on a successful clamming trip.
Raking Clams
This is a fairly simple way to catch clams, although raking
is strenuous work. Pacing yourself is a good idea. This is a
warm weather activity since the clammer will be in knee to
waist deep water. Special rakes which have a basket attached
are used to dig along the bottom. Most clammers have a
preferred area or type of bottom. A little experimentation or
tips from a local will put you in productive clamming
territory.
Wading for Clams
This is the most fun and the least work of all types of
clamming. Enthusiasts wade along, sometimes leaning against a
boat or tire inner tube with a basket inside it. While walking
along the soft bottom, one can feel the clam underfoot. When
one is located, the clammer will reach down and pick it up.
The most hardcore of waders will go barefoot and extract the
doomed clam with their toes. This is not usually recommended
as sharp shells can give a nasty cut.
Signing Clams
This is a more difficult method to learn. Clammers walk
along the shore or mud flats, looking for a distinctive,
"keyhole" shaped air hole in the mud. A little hand rake is
used to dig out the clam which will lie just under the
surface. This method often yields small delicious quahog clams
called "littlenecks", "topnecks", or "cherrystones".
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