Varnish Clams revisited!

[Steve]

Many moons ago there was a flurry of posts on these new clams in the bays, One Ifisher said that he caught a bunch at the mouth of the Alsea Bay, Do they show or do you have to just dig an expanding hole? How deep,? Would like to capitalize on these new critters....Steve

[will_e_fish]

We got them in Nehalem. Down about to your elbow. Digging with a shovel or tools broke too many shells. Stuck my hand in soft wet sand and then like kneading clay or bread you can feel them. It only bothered my carpal tunnel. Got a bunch, good flavor and pretty good size. Discovered they eat crabs, as they were in their digestive system.

[poshie]

Isn't a varnish clam about the size of a large steamer? They feed on crabs??

[Ramstrong]

What bill is probablly referring to are pea crabs. They are not eaten by the clam, rather they are little symbiots that live inside clams, mussels, oysters and other mollusks.

[will_e_fish]

Ryan I hope that they are pea crabs and not Dungeness Larvae. I have saved some of the crab remains from the Varnish Clams digestive tract and meant to research it more. Too quick of examination musta been in a hurry for dinner. They are tasty. Thanks for pointing out a symbiotic relationship between the two altough the crab did not alive I think I am going to do more research soon like tommorrow. cool thing I have discovered about the Varnish Clams you dont need a low tide.