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The WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife has tentatively scheduled two Spring Razor Clam digs.

Our good friends in Olympia recently announced two proposed razor-clam digs on WA ocean beaches later this month and again in mid-April.

As is typical, the final go ahead for both digs will depend upon results of marine toxin tests to determine if the clams are safe to eat.

Clam digging enthusiasts should take note that the first opening – scheduled March 26-April 1 at various ocean beaches – starts on evening tides, while the last four days switch to morning tides.

The proposed days, tides and beach openings for this month’s dig are as follows:

• Friday, March 26, (4:29 p.m., +0.1) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Kalaloch
• Saturday, March 27, (5:19 p.m., -0.1) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
• Sunday, March 28, (6:04 p.m., 0.0) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Monday, March 29, (6:35 A.M., -0.1) Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
• Tuesday, March 30, (7:22 A.M., -0.7) Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
• Wednesday, March 31, (8:07 A.M., -1.0) Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
• Thursday, April 1, (8:52 A.M., -1.0) Long Beach and Twin Harbors only

The second dig is also tentatively scheduled on morning tides in mid-April on the following days and beaches:

• Friday,  April 16, (8:32 A.M., -0.7) Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
• Saturday,  April 17, (9:12 A.M., -0.7) Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch only
• Sunday, April 18, (9:56 A.M., -0.6) Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch only

Remember that your 2009-10 annual shell-fishing license is good through March 31st. However, a new license is needed for the April dig.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG, ActiveRain, Everyday CK, Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

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For those of you who braved the stormy New Year’s elements and were left with very little to show for your dedicated efforts, you’ll be glad to hear that two additional Razor Clam digs have been tentatively scheduled by WDFW (WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife), one at the end of January, and another at the end of February.

For the dig planned this month, Long Beach and Twin Harbors are tentatively scheduled to open on evening tides Jan. 27-31, with digs also planned at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches Jan. 29-31. In addition, the National Park Service has scheduled a two-day dig Jan. 30-31 at Olympic National Park’s Kalaloch beach to coincide with those at the other beaches.

Tentative digging days and tides for this month’s opening are:

• Wednesday, Jan. 27, (4:24 p.m., -0.5 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Thursday, Jan. 28, (5:13 p.m., -1.1 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Friday, Jan. 29, (5:58 p.m., -1.5 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Saturday, Jan. 30, (6:41 p.m., -1.5 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
• Sunday, Jan. 31, (7:23 p.m., -1.2 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch

For the additional dig scheduled in late-February, the following dates and locations apply:

• Friday, Feb. 26, (4:49 p.m., -0.7) Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Saturday, Feb. 27, (5:34 p.m., -0.9) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
• Sunday, Feb. 28, (6:16 p.m., -0.8) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrock, Kalaloch

For the full news release, go to The WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife website.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG, ActiveRain, Everyday CK, Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

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Just a friendly reminder….for local crabbing enthusiasts:

You have until January 15th 2010 to electronically submit your Dungeness Crab Catch Card numbers to the WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife

WA State law requires that ALL fishers record their catch of Dungeness Crab on their License Catch Record Card and return their cards by mail or report their catch numbers electronically on-line by the date printed on the Catch Card, even if you didn’t catch any crab.

To report your Dungeness Crab Catch Card amounts on-line, go HERE.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG, ActiveRain, Everyday CK, Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

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As most of my readers know, I’m a huge social media junkie enthusiast. I’ve been blogging since 2005 and use loads of Internet social media tools and networks to promote/build my real estate business.

One such tool is Twitter, a hyper-blogging platform (or is that a platform for hyper bloggers?) I currently follow 1,942 Twits and, in turn, have 1,886 Twits that follow me. It’s a great venue for spreading information rapidly and connecting with friends. It’s just now catching on here in the West Sound. My Twitter username is @kitsapagent.

I’m always excited when I see other people, companies, and organizations beginning to understand the power of social media, and embrace emerging technology.

Kudos to the folks at Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife for jumping onto the Twitter Twain. You can follow them @wdfw.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com and SOUNDBITEBLOG, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

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Well, the following news release just popped up in my e-mail in box:

Summer Crabbing Season includes Late start for Hood Canal

Yes, you heard it right. The 2009 Summer Crabbing Season for Marine Area 12 – Hood Canal will be starting ‘Late’ this year, July 29th to be exact.

YIKES!

Just about every year since we’ve moved here to the Kitsap Peninsula WA, the rules and regulations concerning recreational crabbing on Hood Canal WA have become more tightly controlled and stringent. We used to be able to crab 7 days a week. Now it’s only Wednesday through Saturday. We used to be able to take up to 6 male crabs per licensee per day. Now it’s only 5. The season used to start in June. Now were almost into August.

Now granted, even though the season is starting so late, they’re extending the season through until January 2nd, 2010. Unfortunately, depending on the weather, crabbing into the Fall and Winter months can be a rather daunting undertaking. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE going crabbing out on Hood Canal and I LOVE eating crab. But there’s a very obvious and discernible point where you have to choose between pulling up crab or contracting hypothermia.

According to a statement by Rich Childers,  the lead shellfish policy spokesman for WDFW:

“The crab abundance in Hood Canal WA has dropped considerably since 2001 and we need as many crabs as possible for reproduction. WDFW and tribal managers are taking extra precautions to help stabilize and protect the crab population.”

So I’m wondering, what exactly has been the cause in the population drop since 2001? Do we jump on the environmental bandwagon and blame Global Warming? Is the drop in oxygen levels in the Hood Canal the culprit? Have the number of recreational crabbers increased that dramatically? What affect do tribal and commercial fisheries have on the situation?

All I know is that I’m totally bummed out that we won’t be able to drop our pots out on Hood Canal WA until nearly August. Guess we’ll be launching over in Brownsville and motoring our boat out through Agate Pass for a couple of months!

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com and SOUNDBITEBLOG, or by email at rich@windermere.com

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One of the favored pastimes here in beautiful Washington State is clam digging. The WA Dept. of Fish & Game has an excellent website full of helpful facts, resources, and regulations on harvesting shellfish.

There are many different varities of clams to be found along the shores and tidelands of Washington.

Some clams, like the Littleneck, are ideal for steaming and serving with drawn butter.

Several types of clams, like the Cockle, make good ingredients in chowder.

The larger varieities, like the Geoduck (pronounced Gooie) are big enough to fillet and fry.

I posted an earlier blog on Razor Clams, one of my preferred choices for taste.

One of the primary considerations for a successful clam dig is the local tides. The best time to dig is when there is a low or minus tide. Be sure to consult a local tide schedule before venturing out.

You also want to pay special attention to what is referred to as “Red Tides.” These are instances where certain environmental conditions can lead to an increased level of toxins in shellfish. The WA Health Dept. monitors these levels very closely and posts on-line bulletins to warn when these toxins reach unsafe levels.

The WDFW has a great FAQ about clams & oysters on their website. In addition, local expert Don Wiss offers some helpful Clam Facts on his website.

Life on the Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State has some many interesting and enjoyable activities and pastimes to offer. It truly is a great place to call home!

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing empowerment and relentless representation of clients throughout all of Kitsap County, and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him on KitsapLife.com and his local real estate blog, SoundBiteBlog.

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