Well, it took a lot to convince my favorite photographer -- Mike P. -- to shoot this one! Shellfishing in January! In Long Island Sound! In waders! Sounded cool to me....I'm a beach girl....but, not so much to him!
Recently, a good friend referred me to our local paper. "The Valley Courier" regularly features articles from an area fishing expert named Captain Morgan. Until reading that column, I never knew that winter was such a great time to go clamming. According to Morgan, the cool waters keep the shellfish really fresh....and make them super delicious. Hey, I thought -- I'm game! We're always looking for new, exciting DayTrips right here in our own backyard.
Captain Morgan and I had a hard time coming up with a good time to shoot our story. You can only go clamming at low tide....and I work part-time due to two little boys with busy Kindergarten, pre-school, basketball and playdate schedules! First, we were going to meet at 6:30am on the Monday holiday. YIKES. So, we changed it to last Monday...which, if you remember...monsooned. Mike and I rallied...jumped in the car last Sunday morning and headed to Captain Morgan's Bait & Tackle Shop at 21 Boston Post Road in Madison. Spontaneity gets things done!
There, you can buy some shellfishing equipment....which could cost you $150 bucks or so....but, it's a one-time purchase. If you get a sturdy rake, a basket, a culling ring and a little knife for the shells, you'll be good to go forever! Permits cost $25.00 per day and $75.00 annually. Captain Morgan gave us a little tour of the gear...and we were on our way.
We followed him to Great Harbor Beach in Guilford which was really gorgeous. A privately owned island lies just offshore...very picturesque. There were quite a few people clamming, too! It was an overcast morning....the water was 37 degrees...and the air was 31 degrees! I wriggled into some waders I borrowed from Captain Morgan's friend (thanks, Maurreen) and I was off...trudging through the muddy bottom of Long Island Sound....out into the water.
Morgan's freinds -- Bruce and Rich -- showed me their technique....and clamming really is quite a workout! Walking through the water was tough on the legs....and scraping the sandy bottom of the Sound...listening for that "ping" sound when you hit a clam....really works the arms. Finally, I found one....Bruce made me eat it (2, actually)....and it was really very good!
Now, here's the big question: how cold were we? We were really OK! The ACTION of clamming keeps you kind of warm. Mind you, I was ready to warm up in the car after an hour or so....but, all in all, I REALLY enjoyed myself. The air was clear....the seagulls were squawking....I found the entire experience really calming.....a lovely date with Mother Nature.
The Guilford Shellfish Commission (which is all volunteer) recommends you call their hotline before embarking on a clamming adventure....1-800-453-8088....if there's more than an inch of rain, they close the beds and test the waters. This is how they ensure safe, fresh seafood.
Thanks to Captain Morgan and all of his buddies....and thanks to you, too, Mike! I owe you lunch! (Not oysters, I know.)
Have fun!