Back to the clam flats

[Palawanbound]

now that the flats are open after all the rain we had it's time to get back to work.It always amazes me how quick you can get sore in places that most of the time you don't even know exist!I can't hand pick like the young fellas but I have a mud hoe & do what I can,it was kinda funny tonight seeing them out in there canoe sitting patiently waiting for the tide to go just like the old wooden indian!Double tides tomorrow,can hardly wait,I am hoping we get a good run out so I can get some nice bait clams,almost as big as sea clams,cod are going to love'em!We may not have an easy job but I love it & wouldn't change a thing other than the gettin older part,I don't remember having this much trouble gettin around in the mud,but like my wife says that was then this is now,don't worry keep diggin!

PB

[Jer]

Very cool Happy clammin'

[giggyfish]

Good luck with the digging and the cod fishing. Oh and remember to add a little vinegar to your melted butter for the steamers........mmmmmmmmmm mmmmmgood

[Palawanbound]

It was more than cool this mornin tide it was damn cold,I couldn't feel my fingers when I started but when you make a flip & you see all them clam arss's staring at you somehow you seem to forget about being cold!I went on one of my walks tonight looking for that hot spot down around the next cove,never satisfied,not really about the money just nice to say I had 3 bushel last tide,(dreamin,I only had 1 1/2 bushels)for some reason the clams seem to grow from the flats to the local hang out of fishermen,the GRIN is the usual give away but at least it sounds good!If I don't forget,in the mornin I will try & get some pics,the wife keeps hiding the camera on me,something about it not being a toy but I can fix that next trip to Wally World,amazing what great pics you can get from a $9.00 camera!

PB

[Kamo Gari]

Are you comm or rec? Just curious. If the former, mind telling what you're getting PP? Buddy of mine (comm) said that the prices after the recent shutdown were pretty good...

[Palawanbound]

I'm commercial,the price just went to $1.00lbs.,sucks considering in the store they are charging from $3.99 to $5.99 depending on where you are,funny we never get the $.99 it's always in $.10 increments.I have done many jobs over the years,some paid big money but clammin is one of my favorites.No one bothers you when you are on the flats,no customer giving you hell,you get to watch the sunrise & if you are digging doubles like now you get to watch it go down & there is no better view than watching the sunset across the water,you can't put a price tag on that.I took some photos this morning,we had a bad spell decided to go for a walk,my dad used to give me hell for doing it but I just can't help myself,lets just say I might have to dig a little harder tonight to make up for this mornings adventure!The clams are calling I will add pics tonight!

PB

[giggyfish]

Well I'm glad you enjoy your job not many of us can say that(especially me). I remember last November when I was up in Machias and I stopped by a flat a few guys were working. I felt like I mugged the Guy when he charged me 23 dollars for almost a full 5 gallon pail of some of the best steamers I ever ate. I actually had to force him to take a 7 dollar tip. So here's to you and your hard working brothers.Thanks you deserve better than a buck a pound.
Giggy

[Palawanbound]

I did the best I could with the pics,I have been diggin double tides & haven't had much time to put the pics on.I didn't get the pics I wanted of the boys sitting in their canoes grounded out in the mud,lucky for me they are good natured.Price dropped today to $.90lbs.,good thing I love my job!Back a few months ago I had a knock on the bedroom wall,I thought my wife had locked herself out I told her I would be right out to let her in,the knocking persisted & I finally went to the window to let her know I heard her but it turned out to be visitors,I'll invite them back for Thanksgiving!Got to love living in Maine!

[Palawanbound]

All of the flats in the pics can be dug year round,we try to work around the cove,if the cove gets frozed in we have other flats available.We do conservation every year,re-seeding,surveying,& we clean around the shoreline of any garbage.We have to pay $400.00 a year to the town & $135 to the state for our licenses,I can't hand pick but some of the young guys make that much at times in one tide.I know this doesn't compare to catching a BFT but we still have fun & it keeps us occupied until it's time to take a boat ride offshore

PB