Join us to explore and harvest our local clams at the lower campground of Fort Flagler next to the Beachcomber Café. We will identify local shellfish, discuss the common harvest tools and how to use them, how to read a tide table book and why! How to care for your catch after harvest and finally a few suggested ways to prepare them. As Michael Zimmerman said, “It's a treasure we have in Puget Sound and particularly at Fort Flagler to spend a low tide watching the sea and beach life and the rewards of harvesting your own dinner, fresh from the beaches. If we do it right, the resource will be there for us, generations to come.”
What should folks bring?
#2 shovel-long handle
Tined garden scratcher
Separate small or medium-size bucket (each digger must have their own container)
Gloves--rubber garden gloves are best but not required
Shellfish license if over 16 years old. For Fishing licenses in Washington State, the age limit for residents is 16 to 69 years. For Youth, they must be 15 years of age. And For senior citizens, the age limit is 70 and above. There are special reduced-fee licenses for disabled residents and non-resident disabled veterans. A one or three-day license might suffice for some folks if they don't plan to shellfish again.
PS--ALL nonresidents must have a license regardless of age.
Presenters
Michael Zimmerman was a Washington State Park Ranger for over 40 years. Michael has a lifelong love for parks and the beach and earned his Bachelor of Science in Fisheries. He helped raise two boys and taught them as well as friends, neighbors and thousands of park visitors how to identify, harvest, and prepare all types of shellfish--clams, oysters, crab, shrimp, and even seaweeds.
Harry Louch was a Washington State Park Ranger for over 30 years. He has been digging clams his entire life. He passed the joy of clam digging to his kids, as well as park visitors. Harry found that it “was great fun helping those new to the sport learn the best harvesting methods and where to look for clams.”
Friends of Fort Flagler is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring, preserving, and protecting the natural and historic resources of Fort Flagler State Park. Please support our state park by becoming a member, volunteering or donating to our organization. To learn more, visit https://friendsoffortflagler.org/.
