Clam the Guilford and Madison Beds for an Unbeatable New England Feast
Posted by Shore Publishing on Aug 13 2009, 04:25 PM
Filed under: captain morgan
It’s been a while since the clam beds in the Guilford/Madison area (and probably in most other shoreline communities) have been tested and re-tested as often. The rains surely unloaded this season and when certain rainfall triggers are reached, clam beds are closed, samples gathered and sent for testing for any contamination by the Connecticut Health Department. Then they’re re-opened to recreational and commercial shell fishers. The upside is that many beds are loaded with these precious and tasty bivalves.
A most popular summertime activity is clamming. One doesn’t have to travel far before wetting his or her rake and catching a variety of shellfish. It’s great fun, good exercise, and a way to put food on the table rather inexpensively once the initial outlay for a license and basic gear is obtained.
A rake, culling ring, basket, and perhaps an old pair of sneakers if you have sensitive feet will get you going. This particular early morning moon tide exposed more sea bottom than normal allowing for a greater area to scratch. As round clams were tapped, tines on the rake sent signals up the ash handle to nerve endings on fingers. The better the rake, the easier to identify a clam and less stress on your back.
There’s a term used in clamming and that’s the “mother lode,” taken no doubt, from treasure hunters. After scratching for a few clams here and there, a treasure trove of round clams was discovered. After culling, this one spot yielded the day’s catch. Visions of clams on the half shell, casino style, or just melded into a sauce topped over a grande platter of zupa de pesce appeared.
There’s nothing quite like seafood just a few hours after being caught. Add some freshly caught fish fillets of fluke, seabass, and/or striped bass along with newly gathered beer/butter soaked steamers and you’ve got a true New England meal. With a little more effort, one can catch enough blue crabs for the pot, as well. Perhaps nabbing a slice of the sea’s bounty is more of a challenge than visiting the market, but well worth it!
On the Water
In the 140-year history of weather-related record keeping, this was only the second time that neither June nor July gave up a 90-degree day. With the coming of August and nature running later than the calendar, this is seemingly about to change. The humidity climbed then waffled. Rain subsided but the winds at times made for a choppy Sound. With that scenario, fishing activity substantially increased—both with fish and fishermen.
Early morning flood tides brought in bluefish feeding on scattered schools of menhaden. Much of the action was in close giving shoreline anglers excellent opportunities at landing fish in the 10- to 12-pound range. Sunset tides brought similar activity along with good mid-day action at the rips of Hammonasset and Kimberly Reef. This, coupled with a late run of jellyfish—as well as other Gulf Stream visitors—saw more incoming bait in the tidal rivers resulting in more fish arriving to feed.
Out on the Sound, there were more gulls working along with small pods of harbor seals still enjoying their posts on Goose Island and a few other choice spots. Striped bass came to life at Six Mile, Southwest Reef, Charles Reef. and the North Rip. Eels were the favorite with bucktails, diamond jigs/Grim Reefers. and ‘brellas catching their fair share of fish as well.
Captain Morgan’s is now selling registrations for the 2009 WICC Bluefish Tournament scheduled for Aug/ 29 to 30. Tagged fish will account for $50,000 in prize money, in addition to the top First Place Prize of $25,000. Several other incentives will further enhance this year’s event. As in the past, Captain Morgan’s will host its annual bluefish piggyback contest.
For all things fishy including licenses, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
Posted by Shore Publishing on Aug 13 2009, 04:25 PM
Filed under: captain morgan
It’s been a while since the clam beds in the Guilford/Madison area (and probably in most other shoreline communities) have been tested and re-tested as often. The rains surely unloaded this season and when certain rainfall triggers are reached, clam beds are closed, samples gathered and sent for testing for any contamination by the Connecticut Health Department. Then they’re re-opened to recreational and commercial shell fishers. The upside is that many beds are loaded with these precious and tasty bivalves.
A most popular summertime activity is clamming. One doesn’t have to travel far before wetting his or her rake and catching a variety of shellfish. It’s great fun, good exercise, and a way to put food on the table rather inexpensively once the initial outlay for a license and basic gear is obtained.
A rake, culling ring, basket, and perhaps an old pair of sneakers if you have sensitive feet will get you going. This particular early morning moon tide exposed more sea bottom than normal allowing for a greater area to scratch. As round clams were tapped, tines on the rake sent signals up the ash handle to nerve endings on fingers. The better the rake, the easier to identify a clam and less stress on your back.
There’s a term used in clamming and that’s the “mother lode,” taken no doubt, from treasure hunters. After scratching for a few clams here and there, a treasure trove of round clams was discovered. After culling, this one spot yielded the day’s catch. Visions of clams on the half shell, casino style, or just melded into a sauce topped over a grande platter of zupa de pesce appeared.
There’s nothing quite like seafood just a few hours after being caught. Add some freshly caught fish fillets of fluke, seabass, and/or striped bass along with newly gathered beer/butter soaked steamers and you’ve got a true New England meal. With a little more effort, one can catch enough blue crabs for the pot, as well. Perhaps nabbing a slice of the sea’s bounty is more of a challenge than visiting the market, but well worth it!
On the Water
In the 140-year history of weather-related record keeping, this was only the second time that neither June nor July gave up a 90-degree day. With the coming of August and nature running later than the calendar, this is seemingly about to change. The humidity climbed then waffled. Rain subsided but the winds at times made for a choppy Sound. With that scenario, fishing activity substantially increased—both with fish and fishermen.
Early morning flood tides brought in bluefish feeding on scattered schools of menhaden. Much of the action was in close giving shoreline anglers excellent opportunities at landing fish in the 10- to 12-pound range. Sunset tides brought similar activity along with good mid-day action at the rips of Hammonasset and Kimberly Reef. This, coupled with a late run of jellyfish—as well as other Gulf Stream visitors—saw more incoming bait in the tidal rivers resulting in more fish arriving to feed.
Out on the Sound, there were more gulls working along with small pods of harbor seals still enjoying their posts on Goose Island and a few other choice spots. Striped bass came to life at Six Mile, Southwest Reef, Charles Reef. and the North Rip. Eels were the favorite with bucktails, diamond jigs/Grim Reefers. and ‘brellas catching their fair share of fish as well.
Captain Morgan’s is now selling registrations for the 2009 WICC Bluefish Tournament scheduled for Aug/ 29 to 30. Tagged fish will account for $50,000 in prize money, in addition to the top First Place Prize of $25,000. Several other incentives will further enhance this year’s event. As in the past, Captain Morgan’s will host its annual bluefish piggyback contest.
For all things fishy including licenses, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan