Thousands of razor clam diggers are expected to converge on the coastal beaches beginning Friday [Oct. 16] for the first dig of the fall season.

Digging will be open Twin Harbors (Oct. 16-19); Long Beach and Copalis (Oct. 16, 17 and 18); and Mocrocks and Kalaloch Beach (Oct. 17 and 18). Digging at all beaches will be restricted to the hours between noon and midnight.

"The results of our 2009 summer stock assessment show that Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch Beach have had an increase in their total allowable catch, while Copalis and Mocrocks are about the same," Dan Ayres, the head state Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish manager said in a news release. "This is great news for Kalaloch, which will have harvest opportunities for the first time since spring 2007."

Kalaloch had been closed due to low clam abundance, but this year's annual stock assessment shows approximately 3.5 million clams of harvestable size.

Because the digs are scheduled on variable days, Ayres reminds people to check the dates to make sure the beach they choose is open for digging.

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.

Low tides: Friday, Oct. 16, minus-0.5 feet at 5:50 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 17, -0.8 at 6:38 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 18, -1.1 at 7:23 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 19, -1.1 at 8:06 p.m.

If future marine toxin testing shows clams are safe to eat then other digs are scheduled for:

Wednesday, Nov. 4 (7:33 p.m. -1.3 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors; Thursday, Nov. 5 (8:18 p.m. -1.2 ft.) Twin Harbors; Friday, Nov. 6 (9:07 p.m. -0.9 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors; and Saturday, Nov. 7 (9:59 p.m. -0.5 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors.
Saturday, Nov. 14 (4:34 p.m. -0.3 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks; Sunday, Nov. 15 (5:21 p.m. -0.7 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks; Monday, Nov. 16 (6:05 p.m. -0.9 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch; Tuesday, Nov. 17 (6:47 p.m. -0.8 ft.) Twin Harbors.

Wednesday, Dec. 2 (6:32 p.m. -1.2 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors; Thursday, Dec. 3 (7:18 p.m. -1.4 ft.) Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks; Friday, Dec. 4 (8:04 p.m. -1.3 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch; Saturday, Dec. 5 (8:51 p.m. -0.9 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch; Thursday, Dec. 31 (6:16 p.m. -1.1 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch; Friday, Jan. 1 (7:01 p.m. -1.8 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch; Saturday, Jan. 2 (7:45 p.m. -1.6 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks; and Sunday, Jan. 3 (8:29 p.m. -1.2 ft.) Twin Harbors.