Tag: #Clamming

Clam Pasta with White Sauce

What do you do after clamming on the bay at Assateague Island? Cook them!

There is a whole process of soaking them in water and changing it out mixing between salt water and fresh water. This process takes a while. We did not eat the clams the day we caught them, but the next day. I would say read up on any directions on-line on how to prepare clams.

Boiling Them

The process of cooking them that they followed involved boiling them until the shells open. They were planning on cooking them in sauce after they remove them.

Then they transferred them to another container to have their shuckers remove the clams from the shells.

Below is what they look like after boiling them.

Removing them from the Shell

Use a knife or a clamming knife to remove the clam from the shell.

Responsible kids can take part in this.

Cut Them Into Pieces

If you are putting it into pasta, you may want to cut the clam into smaller pieces.

Making the Sauce

Next they cooked the white sauce then spread it over pasta.

Result

The result was well liked. The location was the Assateague State Park Campground. This is another activity kids can be involved in.

Clamming at Assateague 2023

Where to Clam?

Assateague Island State Park Boat Launch

Assateague Island National Seashore - Camping Map

The best places to go are on the bay side of the island and some areas along the mainland side of the bay. Some areas near beaches or access points near the bay may be picked over by others before you. If you can go by kayak, canoe, or paddle board, it may be better to put in on the mainland side of the Verrazano Bridge. You can see the boat launch on the upper middle section of this map.

National Park Boat Launches

Assateague Island Maps | NPMaps.com - just free maps, period.

There are good places to launch on the National Park land. Follow the signs after you cross the bridge and travel on Bayberry Road. There are a couple of places with obvious areas with a lot of extra stone on the shoulder roadside to park and launch before you get to the park tollbooth. These are free spots on the right. I recommend also launching from Old Ferry Landing Road launch. This is after the tollbooth, so you need to pay. There are paved parking spots at the launch and one restroom. If you are a veteran you may be eligible for a free lifetime National Park Pass. I believe there is also a pass for seniors. Otherwise, it is over $20 to enter the park for day use. I believe this covers multiple days though.

What Do You Need?

To make it easier, there are certain tools you can bring to clam. Some people bring a rake to scrap or dig up the clam. Many times just by rubbing your foot along the bottom while standing you can feel where they are. The rake can be used to loosen them. Others use a rake with a basket where they can scoop up the clam. Kids however seem to enjoy swimming down to grab them. Bring buckets to hold them clams in with water as well.

Sometimes other things come up with the clam.
A combination rake with basket.
Sometimes you can find multiple clams in the same location.
He liked to dive under the water to bring them up.
She was very happy to find some on her own and add to the effort.
He found a lot of large clams in chest deep water.

Notice in all the above shots clams were not found in shallow water. Sometimes you can find them there but also look in deeper water sometimes as well.

Official bucket holder and clam collector.
Heading back after collecting 120 or more clams.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience. We all returned after about an hour and a half out on the water on our kayaks and paddle boards. Sometimes finding your own food is an adventure.

(Maps are free and from websites online: https://www.assateagueisland.com/campingmap_statepark.htm. https://npmaps.com/wp-content/uploads/assateague-island-inset-map.jpg)

Clamming Near Assateague

Another activity you can do while visiting Assateague is to go clamming. You have a lot more available to you if you search for a spot via kayak. That is exactly what we did.

I followed this group to search for clams. We went to a boat ramp area to launch from. It is ten dollars per car to put in your boats at Assateague Island State Boat Ramp. It is actually on the mainland before you cross over the Bridge to Assateague Island. This is one spot to put your kayaks in the water. There is ample parking in the lot. We went before sunset.

A location. with a sandy sea floor seemed best. Some felt around with their feet. Others swam under the water to feel with their hands. Adults mainly used rakes or clamming baskets.

I feel something down in the sand.
The clam retriever goes all in.
Success!
One of the adults who used a rake or clamming basket.
Clamming basket
They had buckets and nets to collect the clams in.
He had a bagful.
No tools required!
Packing up and ready for the return trip.
Nice view of the Verrazano Bridge. Not the one in NYC. This one is in Maryland.

I think the final total for this clamming trip was 130 clams or so. They soaked them in salt water then fresh from what I understand. Then they had a feast a few days later. Get out and enjoy nature and work for your food. It makes you enjoy it all the more.