Spring Razor Clamming on the Washington Coast: A Glorious Morning Dig and a Tribute to a Dear Friend

A glorious day, and very special Spring Razor Clam dig!

One of the best things about spring in the Pacific Northwest is daylight saving time—and along with it, the switch to morning razor clam digs on the Washington coast.

All winter, we tough it out with dark, rainy evenings and night time digs under headlamps. But when the trees start blooming and we spring forward on the clock, everything changes. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shifts the dig tides to mornings, giving us bright sunshine, milder weather, and that perfect feeling of kicking off the season right.

This past weekend delivered a true clam fest near Long Beach, WA. Big shows were popping up everywhere on the sand. It wasn’t a question of if we’d get our limits —it was how quickly we could do it.

Mack and I picked up Leona and Sophie the dog at 6:00 AM, and headed towards Long Beach WA. We rolled into the clamming grounds by 8:15. Low tide was scheduled for 8:43 AM, so our timing was spot-on. We slipped into our waders, grabbed our gear, and headed down to the beach. Leona worked her clam gun like a pro, while I stuck with my trusty shovel. In just about 30 minutes, we both had our limits in the bag.

Me and David at the beach in years past!

Back at the truck, we soaked up the bright sunshine, enjoyed some snacks, and raised a celebratory drink in honor of Leona’s husband—and my dear friend—David, who passed recently. David was one of those all-around great guys who made every adventure better. He was one of my best friends, always quick with a story, joke or a laugh, and razor clamming was one of his absolute favorite things to do. We spent many, many tides together out on these same beaches. Digging side by side, laughing, making fun of one another and having a great time. He was one in a million and he will be missed. Being there with Leona was meaningful—it was like closing a circle. I’m sure David was right there in spirit with us on the sand that morning, smiling down as the waves rolled in and the sun warmed the beach.

It was a glorious day and the perfect way to welcome spring on the Washington coast.

Thanks for reading.

Bill