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by Joanne
(Ravena, NY)
Digging Clams
Question: What are the best months to clam and which towns are recommended?
Dee's Reply: Hi Joanne - July and August are peak clamming time on Cape Cod. That's when the water temps are comfortable enough to stand knees-deep (or deeper) for an hour or two of digging.
If you're not adverse to chilly water, then you might be okay with spring or fall clam digging. But I'm a warm-water girl. For me, it's not worth the effort to don a wetsuit or waders just to dig a bucket of clams!
As far as where to do your digging, I'd say Eastham is one of the best clamming towns on the Cape - especially for first-time diggers.
Eastham has a good amount of shoreline that's regularly open for clamming. And the fee for a visitor's shellfishing permit is very reasonable. $30 for a 7-day permit, versus $50 or more in other towns.
If you're new to clamming and want to see how it's done before you venture out on your own, there's a great tutorial program that's held on summer Sundays at Salt Pond in Eastham. The demonstrations are led by a Cape Cod National Seashore park ranger, they're family friendly, and best of all - they're free to attend.
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