Clamming on the Oregon coast is a great recreational pastime that can be very rewarding. All you really need to dig them is a shovel, bucket, boots and a digging permit.

If it happens to be raining then a rain coat and hat really come in handy. Some people wear chest waders but all I have ever used is either old tennis shoes or rubber boots.

You can dig them out with a special narrow shovel. You can get the shovels at any sporting goods stores.

They can also be dug with a “clam gun” or sometimes called a “tube”. They are a simply 4-in diameter pipe with a handle and a small air vent at the closed upper end. To work them you simply push the tube down over the clam dimple with a rocking motion. The air vent is then blocked with the core of sand and then you pull up and drop the sand on the beach. The only problem with the guns is that they do not work well on beaches containing a lot of gravel or rock.

We have never used the gun but I have seen a lot of people use them. We just like to use the shovels.

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You need a shellfish license to go after the clams. All Oregon residents 14 and older must have a license.

• ANNUAL RESIDENT: $6.50
• ANNUAL NONRESIDENT: $16.50
• THREE DAY NONRESIDENT: $9.00

Limits for 2008 are Razors, first 15 taken, Bay clams: Butter, Littleneck, Cockle and Gaper, 20 of which 12 may be gapers. Softshell and others: First 36 taken.

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You can find the best places for digging on the Oregon Coast with this map. There are many places to dig and the way to find the best places is to follow other diggers or ask around at tackle shops. A lot of residents will also tell you the best place and if you will listen they will also tell you some good stories about clamming!

You can also find out how to clean them and also some great soft shell recipes and razor clam recipes that you will want to try out.

Check out this page on the different types that you can dig for.