A couple clams together stays together
Published 3:59 pm Tuesday, February 17, 2026
OCEAN PARK — Bill and Trisha Cooper, of Naches, were among the couples that spent the early Valentine’s Day evening digging razor clams north of the Bay Avenue approach, in Ocean Park.
It took over an hour to find his 15-clam limit, Bill conceded, more time than the 20-minute limits he’s had in the past.
Still, the thrill was in the search, he said, even if the clams came a little further in between. The couple, digging among a growing audience of seagulls and setting sun, didn’t plan to surrender, not until Trisha also reached her limit. But with six clams, she was well on her way, with the goal to eventually make fritters and clam chowder, a meal surely to taste a little sweeter.
Upcoming digs
The current slate of WDFW approved afternoon/evening digs began Saturday, Feb. 14, and will continue until Thursday, Feb. 19, as seen below:
The following digs during late afternoon/evening (noon to midnight only) low tides will proceed as scheduled:
Feb. 14, Saturday, 4:48 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 15, Sunday, 5:24 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 16, Monday, 5:57 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 17, Tuesday, 6:29 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 18, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 19, Thursday, 7:32 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Tentative upcoming dig dates include:
Feb. 26, Thursday, 2:26 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 27, Friday, 3:29 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 28, Saturday, 4:22 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
March 1, Sunday, 5:07 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 2, Monday, 5:46 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 3, Tuesday, 6:22 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
March 4, Wednesday, 6:55 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide, according to WDFW. On all open beaches — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks — the daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition.