Outdoors Notebook | Puget Sound clam digs called a success

Nice weather and calm surf greeted coastal razor clam diggers last week, and success in general was outstanding.

"It was a beautiful fall weekend and pretty much everyone had limits of clams," said Dan Ayres, the head state Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish biologist. "There were some places where people struggled like on the south part of Long Beach."

In all, 25,000 digger trips occurred Nov. 13-16 with 344,500 clams harvested for an average of 13.8 clams per person (the first 15 dug regardless of size or condition is a daily limit).

"Definitely on some beaches north of Grays Harbor, I personally talked to folks who had limits, and it was a mix of big and small clams everywhere," Ayres said. "The average size was about 4.3 inches on all beaches, and that is a good size clam."

State Fish and Wildlife will dig samples of razor clams today, to send to the Department of Health lab for testing for marine toxins like domoic acid and paralytic shellfish poisoning [PSP].

"I did see [PSP] samples of some mussels inside the Grays Harbor boat basin which was quite high, but for razor clams it was well below the action level."

The highest levels of PSP found in razor clam samples were 49 parts per million with a cutoff of 80 ppm.

"PSP can linger, but it doesn't tend to stay in mussels very long so I am puzzled why," Ayres said. "The boat basin has less water movement, and that is what PSP likes. Domoic acid in razor clams is also way down, and that is typical this time of the year."

The next digs are scheduled for Dec. 11-14 at Mocrocks and Copalis, and Dec. 12-14 at Long Beach and Twin Harbors.

Digging is allowed noon to midnight each day. Since these digs will occur in the dark, diggers should take lights or lanterns with them.

Low tides: Dec. 11, minus-1.1 feet at 5:23 p.m.; Dec. 12, -1.5 at 6:13 p.m.; Dec. 13, -1.6 at 7:02 p.m.; and Dec. 14, -1.4 at 7:50 p.m.

Kalaloch Beach is closed at least until spring 2009, but Ayres pointed out that clam populations have rebounded and could grow to be large enough for digging by next spring.

Snow falling

in the Cascades

The recent storms have dropped some snow on the Cascade Mountains, and while it wasn't enough to merit opening areas for skiing and snowboarding it means that the season is just around the corner.

As of Friday, Stevens Pass saw about 8 inches on the ground; Crystal Mountain reported 2 to 3 inches; Mount Baker had 6 to 8 inches; and White Pass had 1 to 6 inches. More snow was expected to fall this weekend.

Those who can't wait should head up to the Whistler-Blackcomb Resort in British Columbia, which is scheduled to open Nov. 27.

The cumulative snow depth at Whistler's Pig Alley Weather Station is 37 inches with a snow base depth of 10 inches. The much anticipated Peak 2 Peak Gondola launch is Dec. 12.

Notes

• The Washington Butterfly Association meeting is 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. in Seattle. Retired wildlife biologist John Davis will discuss learning about Pacific Northwest moths. Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.

• A public workshop is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 to discuss how annual seasons are set for recreational salmon fisheries by state Fish and Wildlife at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. in Lacey. Fisheries staff will talk about legal, technical and policy issues regarding the salmon season-setting process, known as North of Falcon. Details: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/northfalcon/index.htm.

• The Issaquah REI Store is hosting a workshop titled Snowshoeing 101 at 7 p.m. Dec. 9. Learn skills, tips and techniques, and layering technology to keep you warm and comfortable. All ages welcome. No registration required. Details: 425-313-1660.

• The Orvis Store at 10223 N.E. 10th St. in Bellevue is hosting a "Winter Steelhead Roundtable" 6 p.m. Nov. 24. Guests include fishing guides John Farrar and Ryan Petzold. Details: 425-452-9138.

• Hatchery steelhead fishing is open on the Upper Columbia River from Rocky Beach Dam to 400 feet below Wells Dam. Daily limit is two hatchery-marked fish, and they must be longer than 20 inches. Fishing will remain open through March 31, but could close sooner. A night closure and selective gear rules apply. Anglers may use single, barbless hooks and knotless nets, motorized vessels and bait are allowed.

• The Washington Sea Grant is offering classes on boat engine troubleshooting and maintenance 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 8-11 at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, 42 Water St. in Port Hadlock. Cost is $100, and preregistration is advised. Details: 206-543-1225 or email sfisken@u.washington.edu.

• The Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Mount Rainier National Park is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays through Dec. 31. The visitor center offers new exhibits, park information, a new park movie, book store and gift shop, as well as food service. Details: 360-569-2211 or www.nps.gov/mora.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com