Razor-clam dig is a 'go' at two beaches Nov. 20-21

OLYMPIA - Clam diggers got the go-ahead to proceed with a two-day razor-clam dig the weekend of Nov. 20-21 at Long Beach and Twin Harbors on the Washington coast.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig after marine toxin tests confirmed the clams on those two beaches are safe to eat.

No digging will be allowed before noon on either beach. All other coastal beaches will remain closed to razor-clam digging that weekend.

"This dig is scheduled only at Long Beach and Twin Harbors, because they have the largest number of clams available for harvest," said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. "We've tentatively scheduled another dig in early December at all five ocean beaches."

A list of tentative digs, subject to future marine toxin tests, is available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.

For the biggest clams, Ayres recommends arriving at the beach about an hour before low tides. Evening low tide will be -0.4 feet at 5:39 p.m. Nov. 20 and -0.7 feet at 6:17 p.m. Nov. 21.

Twin Harbors Beach extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor and includes Westport, Grayland and North Cove. Long Beach extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2010-11 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW's website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.