Outdoors notebook: Bad weather doesn't keep clam diggers off the beach

The coastal razor clam season started off with rough weather on Oct. 16, but that didn't stop thousands of diggers from flocking to their favorite beach.

"The weather was lousy for the opener especially on the beaches south of Grays Harbor, but it got a little better by [Oct. 17], and then it was a beautiful fall day by [Oct. 18] and the clams were just popping out everywhere," said Dan Ayres, the head state Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish biologist. "I was out on Copalis [Oct. 16] where the average was 13.7 clams per person, and I ran into a guy soaked from head to toe who managed to stay pretty happy because he got his clams."

Ayres said coastwide there was 30,250 digger trips made, and the average was 14 clams per person [the first 15 clams dug is a daily limit].

"We saw a good mix of clam sizes at Copalis and Mocrocks, and they were somewhat smaller to the south," Ayres said. "At Kalaloch there were some 5-inch clams in the catch along with some smaller ones."

Future clam digs are dependent on marine toxin levels, but the first set of samples dug last Sunday showed all results were still below the action level.

The next digs are Nov. 4 at Long Beach and Twin Harbors (minus-1.3 feet low tide at 7:33 p.m.); Nov. 5 at Twin Harbors (-1.2 at 8:18 p.m.); Nov. 6 at Long Beach and Twin Harbors (-0.9 at 9:07 p.m.); and Nov. 7 at Long Beach and Twin Harbors (-0.5 at 9:59 p.m.). Digging is between noon and midnight only.

Other planned digs are Nov. 14-17, Dec. 2-5 and Dec. 31-Jan. 3.

The best time to dig is an hour or two before low tide. Check the weather and surf conditions before heading out.

Diggers must keep the first 15 razor clams dug, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

U.S. Men's Olympic Ski Team training at Mission Ridge

For those who can't or don't dare head up to Whistler-Blackcomb Resort for the Winter Olympics can watch the U.S. Men's Olympic Slalom Team train Feb. 21-25 at the Mission Ridge Ski Area, located 12 miles south of Wenatchee.

Fans can go up and watch 2006 Gold Medalist Ted Ligety and team member Bode Miller run through the training course along with other team members.

"This validates that it [Mission Ridge] is a great place to train," said Ryan Shorter, program director for the Mission Ridge Ski Team.

The team also considered Crystal Mountain, Mount Bachelor in Oregon and Schweitzer Mountain in Idaho.

"Typically that time of year the weather at Mission Ridge is more stable than at those other areas," said the Men's U.S. Alpine Ski Team coach Sasha Rearick.

Rearick also said the fact that Mission Ridge can inject water into the base of the runs for a foundation [as will be the case at Whistler] is a "big reason we're going there."

The Winter Olympics begin in Vancouver, B.C. on Feb. 12, and the men's slalom race is Feb. 27.

Trout planted at local lake

The first wave of rainbow trout have been planted in Beaver Lake near Issaquah.

"There was a plant of 1,000 trout [this past week], and we plan to add another 2,000 more in the first week of November," said Chad Jackson, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist, who said the trout planted average a hefty 2 to 4 pounds apiece.

The year-round lake is best fished by a small boat, although there is some limited access from the shoreline. Internal combustion motors are prohibited on the lake. Daily limit is five fish, and bait anglers must keep the first five fish they catch.

Notes

• Climbing legend Lou Whittaker will speak at the Climb for Clean Air information meeting 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the American Lung Association, 2625 Third Ave. in Seattle. The next climb is July 2010. Details: 206-441-4100 or www.cleanairadventures.org.

• The Edmonds Laebugten Salmon Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting is 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the South County Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds. Guest speakers are Mike Jensen, owner of Jensen's Old Fashioned Smokehouse in Greenwood, and state Fish and Wildlife enforcement officer Hwa Kim. Details: 425-218-0654.

• The Orvis Store in Bellevue is hosting a winter steelhead round-table 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5. Learn from the best steelhead anglers about flies, presentation techniques, casts and water reading. Details: 425-452-9138.

• The Newport High School Ski and Snowboard Swap is 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 13 and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Newport High School, 4333 Factoria Blvd. S.E. in Bellevue. More than 7,000 items will be for sale at bargain prices. Details: 425-456-7400 or http://skiswap.info.

• The Sportsmen for the Preservation of our Rivers and Streams are conducting a cleanup and looking for volunteers 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 7 on the Skagit River in LaConner. Details: 253-861-8964 or rosendo64@yahoo.com.

• The Mount Tahoma Trails Association is working on rebuilding its popular Snow Bowl Hut, which was destroyed by fire on March 21, 2008. The group's Fall Gala is 2-6 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Seattle REI Store. Cost is $10. Details: www.skimtta.com.

• The new nonprofit Cascade Musky Association is looking for members. Cost is $25 or $35 for a couple/family membership. Details: www.cascademuskyassociation.com or www.wafish.com.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club meeting is 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Seattle Tennis Club. Please RSVP to attend meetings. Details: www.WFFC.com.

• The Western Bass Club meets every third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Kennydale Hall in Renton. Details: www.westernbassclub.comor www.nickbarrfishing.com.

• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and trail conditions. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers offer various public classes through the year. The public also is invited to club meetings on the third Thursday of each month, at the Haller Lake Community Center, 12579 Densmore Ave N., in North Seattle. Details: 206-684-7524.

• The Emerald Sea Dive Club offers year-round activities, including the big buddy program and weekly and monthly dives. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. at Alfy's Pizza, 4820 196th SW in Lynnwood. Details: 425-775-2410 or www.emeraldseadiveclub.org.

• The Seattle Audubon Society offers field trips and classes every month. Details: 206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org.

• Northend Bassmasters is accepting new members who want to learn more about bass fishing. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Creek Cafe, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway (Canyon Park) in Bothell. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.

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