I have my shiny new family shellfish permit and that means the clams are scared. One of these years I am going to get a single digit license, maybe camp out in a lawn chair at the Department of Natural Resources and be first in line like a teenager trying to cop some Hannah Montana tickets.
The boat is launched. The waders need patching and tomorrow on the tide I intend to go in search of some serious mercenaria mercenaria, aka the Mighty Quahog, and make me a mess of chowder. The shellfish warden asked me, as she handed over the newly laminated license: “Where’s your favorite place to clam?”
That’s like asking me what my bank balance is.
But I told her and in return she pulled out the map and showed me some good spots where the volunteers have been broadcasting seed and and transplanting dirty clams to clean water. They were all shore spots — the kind for people who don’t have boats — and therefore the ones I tend to leave to the guys who trudge down the sand to find their bivalves. I have a boat, so I go to the places where clammers with boats can only go.
And I’m not talking about them, in fact, I am turning into one of those wiseasses who when asked at the dock, “Where did you catch that fish?” say, “In the lip.”
WTF is a “shellfish warden?
Why can’t you buy your license in Cotuit?
How come your dinghy is so white it glistens?
Loverly pic.
Save the mighty Quahoag!
Long live the Geoduck and the southern Pismo!
Jim
A recreational clammer ready to go in March? Someone’s in the wrong field. Seriously, quahogging is very Zen. Clamming, that’s all a sprint, but scratching for little necks and cherrystones is quite therapeutic.
In Chatham, the technical term is “Shellfish Constable.” But he and his crew are collectively referred to as “the Warden.”
Also “the Man.” And, one or two times, “the Bronze.” But clammers (as compared to quahoggers) are innately paranoid.
Better rough up the tender before it gets borrowed for an extended period.
boat’s in the water already? wow. i envy you southerners 😉
Dave:
I tried to get a single digit license this year. I went about an hour before they opened and ended up being second in line. I thought “oh well, #2 is not bad.” I ended up with number 89. It turns out they save the low numbers for the shellfish volunteers.
Jimmy Clams
Dave-
Who built your dinghy?
Thanks
I forget. I bought it from Peck’s for large money about ten years ago. Astonished it hasn’t been pinched. It’s okay.. Wish I had a real cedar skiff
Adventitious windfall
Picked 3 biggies and 3 cherries with one finger on a walk in a never to be disclosed location today – LEGALLY as it’s Wednesday. Panko crumbs, fresh thyme and scallions, a hint of lemon and plenty of butter – they all wound up in stuffed three large shells for the three of us.
Avete Quahog whose name in the ancient tongue relates to it use as wampum – a mercenary function
Victuri te salutamus,
TKB