Razor-clam dig at Kalaloch beach Feb. 18-19

Clam diggers have a green light to proceed with an evening razor-clam dig at Kalaloch Beach on Friday, Feb. 18 and continues Saturday, Feb. 19.

No digging is allowed before noon at the razor-clam beach.

Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), recommends that diggers arrive at the beach about an hour before low tide for the biggest clams.

Evening low tides during the upcoming dig will be at 6:33 p.m. (-0.9 feet) Feb. 18, and 7:13 p.m. (-0.5 feet) Feb. 19.

The National Park Service has scheduled the dig at Kalaloch Beach, which is located within the Olympic National Park (ONP). ONP Superintendent Karen Gustin also recommends that diggers take safety precautions during night digs, especially at Kalaloch.

 “Kalaloch is considerably more remote than the other clamming beaches, and visitors should be prepared for primitive conditions,” she said. “With no streetlights or lighted buildings in the area, flashlights or lanterns are a necessity.”

 All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2010-11 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available at Forks Outfitters and other outlets on the West End as well as on the WDFW’s website at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov .

The area open for digging those days are defined as follows:   Kalaloch Beach, which extends from the South Beach Campground to Brown’s Point (just south of Beach Trail 3) in the Olympic National Park.