November razor clam digging dates announced

New fall razor clam season dates have been announced by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for Copalis and Muckrocks beaches, beginning this Saturday, November 7th and running through the 11th. High domoic acid levels have been postponing digs this season. The levels have remained consistently below the red zone in the two northern razor clam beaches. The southern beaches, Long Beach and Twin Harbors, remain closed due to elevated toxin levels. I spoke with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on Tuesday. They told me that the toxin bloom has been traveling north this season in the Pacific. Sometimes the Columbia River mouth can hold higher toxin levels from washing into Washington from Oregon, but that wasn't the case this year. Clam populations are also down a bit this year, with some diggers reportedly being unable to meet the 15 clam quota, while last season quotas were regularly met within the hour. The Washington State Razor Clamming crowd is a lively and enthusiastic group. I spoke to moderators of Razor Clam Facebook groups, Clamming HQ and Washington State Razor Clamming. And they're champing at the bit to get back out to Washington beaches this weekend. If you're heading out there, watch the tides, which won't be as extreme as last week. Keep in mind the clam populations are down, so it might be tougher to meet your quota than years past. And enjoy one of Washington's muddiest and most amusing family activities.