Clam Diggers: A Way of Life and Livelihood on the Coast of Maine
Clamming is also a great summer recreational activity, for families and visitors and a great way to get some exercise and fresh air in a beautiful setting.
Here is my lens salute to those hard working people who supply us with fresh clams all summer long, for our fried clam baskets and steamers!
The Isle of Squid
Maine Clam Diggers in Action
Maine Clam Diggers
A family tradition in Maine: two brothers display their life-long passion for digging clams.
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The Maine Method of Clamming
F.Y.I.
In Maine clamming is done using a "clam hoe" or "rake," a "roller" and hip boots.* The "clam hoe" is a pitchfork, cut-off approximately 18' from the tines and then bent at a 70 degree angle.
*The "roller" is a 1/2 bushel basket, built using wood lathes or wire and is used to carry the clams and to hold them for rinsing off.
*The hip boots keep the legs and feet warm and dry, as the tides are coming in, or going out, the water is very cold, even in the summer and the clam flats are often very mucky.
(Photo Courtesy of Flickr)
Professional Clammers in Action
Maine Clammer
Clammer working the mud flats off Orrs Island, Maine
Maine Clammer
Maine Clammer
Maine Clammer
Blinding snow and wind didn't slow this clam digger down much, since he &quo...
Clammers coming in for the day in Lubec, ME
Clammers coming in for the day in Lubec, ME
Weighing Clams
Lonely clammer
How to Dig for Maine Clams
For Fun or Profit
If you're coming to Maine for a vacation and looking for something fun to do at the coast, why not take the family clam digging. An inexpensive way to gather your dinner, and delicious, whether steamed or fried.*Clamming is fairly easy to do and clams in Maine are plentiful. What better way to enjoy a nice summer day on the ocean with your family?
*First thing to do is stop by the local town office and get a license. Some towns sell a special day license for clamming and will be happy to tell you where you can go to find clams locally and what areas may be restricted.
*Next, you need your equipment, although it doesn't have to be very elaborate. You will need a clam basket, or small bucket to hold your clams in and a clam rake or something to dig with. Make sure you have gloves on, as the clam shells are very sharp.
*You need to go to the clam flats, at low tide, or when the tide is going out, so consult the local tide charts, available at many places including the internet.
*Okay, now you're at the clam flats, what next? Just walk around and look for holes in the sand/mud, approximately the circumference of your index finger. Then dig down approximately 12 inches and you've got your clam! Be careful not to break the clam while digging and watch out for the sharp edges.
*Now that you've got the technique down, your goal is to try and harvest enough for a meal, before the tide comes in again and washes away your opportunity.
*Even if you are not fortunate enough to gather your dinner, you've had a great time in the fresh, ocean air and some great exercise. Be thankful you're not doing it to earn a living! You can always stop at the local clam shack for a fried clam basket, or a lobster and steamers.
(Photo Courtesy of Flickr)
Maine Recreational Clamming
Clam Digging Saco Maine
Digging Clams
Digging Clams
Supervising Clam Digging
Clammin' in Maine...yes...I ate them!
Maine Clam Digger Official Clothing
Happy as a Clam Digger Green T-Shirt
A must have item to demonstrate your prowess as a Clam Digger!
Price: 16.99 
Clam Digger Sweatshirt
It can be pretty cool at the ocean, be prepared in your official Clam Digger Sweat!
Price: 32.99
The Maine Clam Flats
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Group Discussion and Comments
Thank You!
CT wrote
Hi, I develop advance marine technologies that might be of use with claming atleast walking on the Clam Flats if anyone is interested and needing help being able to increase there productivity send me a line.
chris@tacticaloperationstech.com
Posted January 13, 2009
Stephen D wrote
Hi I would like to become a clamer for a living, can someone one point me to someone that can help me get started clamming in Maine?
Thank you
sderdau@gmail.com
Posted October 06, 2008
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
Living in the hot, humid south, Maine has always fascinated me. I would love to go clam digging along the beach.
Great lens.
Lizzy
Posted August 03, 2008
Great Lens 5* and welcome to Travelmania Group!
Tapir Travel
Posted June 15, 2008
Maine Clam Blogs
- Signs of Maine: Making a living in Maine
- Blood worms are found in the tidal flats of local rivers and digging for them (akin to digging clams) is back-breaking work. I'll be documenting more signs of how Mainers make ends meet in future posts. Stay tuned... at 2:28 PM ...
- RED menace - Bangor Daily News
- Hutchinson has been digging for clams in the area for about 30 years and said there has not been a red tide closure in more than 20 years. ?We get shut down if it rains too much, just like a couple weeks ago, but red tide hasn't been a problem here. ... They are banned from harvesting mahogany clams.Maine's Department of Marine Resources on Thursday closed all of Cobscook Bay and much of the Down East coast due to historic levels of toxic red tide algae. ...
- Civil Eats » Blog Archive » Make This July 4th Your Food ...
- A sustainable food advocate who campaigned for the Obamas to plant a garden at the White House has now received pledges from several governor's offices to feature local foods on their Fourth of July menus, from Maine lobster to South Dakota ... He also plans to dig clams from a local flat. ?This is an opportunity to celebrate our food culture,? he said. P.S. from the author of this post, aka Victory Grower: Today, a group of Food and Society Policy Fellows gathered on the ...
The End of the Day and Time to Eat
What Else but Clams!
Lunch time at the Clam Shack
Fried Whole-Belly Clams
Steamer Clams
Clam Shack
Clam Baskets w/ Fries
Maine Coastal Guide
By A Customer
My family and I recently visited Maine and in preparation we purchased Great Destinations The Coast of Maine Book to get an idea of what we wanted to see. I found this book to be very clear and concise. It was extremely helpful in giving us an overview of what we wanted to see and do whilst in Maine. The coastline was as beautiful as the book depicted and I would recommend buying this book and also visiting this tremendous State.
Clam Digging on Tweeter
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- kingpin630
- @dNeero Seafood... love oysters, clams, etc. Really good being that I'm Jewish.
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- cebzi
- Looked for clams in the low tide at 6PM at a beach north of Humbug Mt. State Park. The outfitter said it wasn't worth looking; he was right.
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- nate_becker
- @MarieEOliver btw, Tida and I spotted a bar "boilin crawfish" on 22nd street today. A Cajun/creole sports bar serving crawfish/crab/clams
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- CaptSnickers
- @Akisame7 no the warranty expired in April. Shame too. Replacement costs 200 clams. Just gonna get a new (i.e. cheaper) phone instead.
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- jodycakes
- http://twitpic.com/9gsyq - Scallops and clams in a custard with lilac and honeydew melon gelee
