Clam season looking to be fairly decent

It is almost time to dust off the clam gear, and dig into what should be a decent coastal razor clam season.

Digging is set to begin in early-October, and complete seasons will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

"The good news is the razor clam world looks pretty good on all the beaches, although overall populations are down a little bit," said Dan Ayres, the head state Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish biologist.

While there is a slight decline, assessments taken in 2010 found spawning was pretty successful so there are lots of small clams in the 3-inch range popping up everywhere.

Something to look forward to is those smaller clams will become much larger in size by the spring season.

"That's not bad news, but it means there will be wastage (small clams left dug up to die on beaches this fall), and diggers should remember they're required to keep the first 15 clams dug regardless of size," Ayres said.

For the first time in more than two decades, state Fish and Wildlife won't host public razor clam meetings due to budget constraints.

"We've put together a presentation on our Web site," Ayres said. "We hope to reach a wider audience, but the folks used to public meetings might see it differently."

Email comments to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov or mail to RazorClams, 48 Devonshire Rd., Montesano, WA. 98563.

Comment deadline is Sept. 17, although suggestions can be made throughout the season. For information about razor-clam stocks, marine toxins and digging options, go to http://bit.ly/aoIfnQ.

For now, Ayres says there are been no issues coastwide with domoic acid and Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) marine toxins, that are naturally produced by algae or plankton blooms during higher ocean temperatures or changes in the environment.

"We have no problems with domoic acid, although we had some concerns of PSP coastswide," Ayres said. "In mid-July PSP levels were way up, but still not to action levels where we'd close beaches. Since then they've gone back down."

During the 2009-10 season, 283,000 clam digger trips generated more than 3.8-million razor clams dug on the five coastal beaches for an average of 13.4 clams per person (the first 15 clams dug regardless of size or condition is the daily limit).

"We had a pretty good year of digging," Ayres said.

Notes

• The Edmonds Coast Guard Auxiliary are hosting a public 12-week novice and experienced boating education courses Sept. 14 and Sept. 16. Details: 425-774-4033 or e-mail boatclasses@hotmail.com.

• The Steelhead Trout Club of Washington meeting is 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Orient Express Restaurant, 2963 4th Ave. South in Seattle. State Fish and Wildlife biologist Pat Frazier will discuss a Columbia River selective net gear study. Details: www.steelheadclub.com.

• The State Parks and Recreation Commission is hosting an coastal and underwater cleanup Sept. 18-19. Details: www.coastsavers.org.

• The SeaTac Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association meeting is 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at the IBEW Local 46 Hall, 19802 62nd Ave. South in Kent. Jeff June, Natural Resources Consultants' VP and chief scientist will discuss Puget Sound Derelict Gear Removal Program. Details: www.ccapnw.org.

• The Washington Outdoor Women Workshop is Sept. 17-19 at Camp River Ranch in Carnation. Learn basics of archery, freshwater fishing, fly-fishing and tying flies, kayaking, cooking wild game, big-game hunting basics, map and compass reading, wilderness first aid, survival skills, how to start a hunting dog and outdoor photography. Must be at least 18 years old. Scholarships still available (wowscholarship@gmail.com). Cost is $235. Details: www.washingtonoutdoorwomen.org or 425-455-1986.

• The Everett Coho Derby hosted by the Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club and Snohomish Sportsmen's Club is Sept. 18-19 at the 10th Street ramp in Everett. Cost is $25. Details: www.everettcohoderby.com/derbyinformation.

• The Seattle Rifle and Pistol Association Hunter Sight-In is 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sept. 18-19, Sept. 25-26, Oct. 2-3 and Oct. 9-10 at 725 135th Ave. S.E. in Snohomish. Cost is $5. Details: 360-659-9362 or 425-775-9531.

• The Rainier Mountain Festival is 10 a.m. Sept. 12 in Ashford, just outside the Paradise entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. Meet mountaineers Ed Viesturs, Dave Hahn, Jim and Peter Whittaker and other climbers. Activities include alpine games, five-mile trail run/walk, mountain technique demonstrations, raffle, kids games, music and food. Details: www.rainierfestival.com.

• Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Pheasants Forever are hosting a free Youth Pheasant Hunt 7 a.m. Sept. 25 and 8 a.m. Sept. 26. Open to all hunters under age 15. Details: 253-967-8260 or 253-847-3979 or 253-224-6432.

• In celebration of the Salish Sea's official naming, the tall ship schooner Maple Leaf will offer five-night trip Oct. 18-23, and departs from Sidney, B.C. An onboard naturalist will provide guests with wildlife and natural history of the sea. Details: 800-599-5323 or www.MapleLeafAdventures.com.

• The Northwest Knife Collectors Knife Show is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 25, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Little Creek Casino & Resort, 91 West State Highway 106 in Shelton. Cost is $5. Buy, sell, trade and learn about a huge selections of knives, plus demonstrations and cutting competition. Details: www.nwkc.org.

• The Friends of the Cedar River Watershed is hosting the National Wild and Scenic Film Festival 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Patagonia Store, 2100 1st Ave. in Seattle, and 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. in Seattle. Cost is $8 advance and $10 at the door. Details: 206-297-8141 or www.cedarriver.org.

• The Issaquah Alps Trails Club hosts weekly hikes and meets in downtown Issaquah. Details: www.issaquahalps.org.

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

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

• The Seattle Parks and Recreation's Bicycle Sundays along Lake Washington Boulevard to Seward Park are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 12, 19 and 26. Details: www.seattle.gov/parks/bicyclesunday.

• 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 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.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com; twitter.com/MarkKYuasa.