Fall is shellfish season – MEET OUR FARMERS

You’ve heard it before – those dang months with the “r.” Well, technically local oyster farmers don’t agree, bivalves have a much longer season, Some of the best shucks are in May – but there is something to be said for a fall or spring oyster over a “peak of the summer” one. That’s why fall IS the perfect time to follow the shellfish trail and visit local farms that grow the food you love. Let’s meet a few local growers that wake up on the night tides to deliver you the perfect oyster, clam or geoduck.

Chelsea Farms & Olympia Oyster Bar

Eld & Totten Inlet, Puget Sound | chelseafarms.net

222 CAPITOL WAY N, OLYMPIA

Chelsea Farms have made a priority of farming the Olympia Oyster, a native oyster to Olympia, that was on it’s way to extinction Visit their Oyster bar in downtown Olympia to get the ultimate local seafood experience!

Capital Oysters & Seattle Shellfish

South Puget Sound | capitaloyster.com

5th generation oyster farmer, Tom Bloomfield, tide tumbles Capital oysters that are suspended off the ground. The growing process results in a smooth, super deep shell as each oyster captures the essence of the beautiful ocean waters, free of sand and zero muddy tastes.

DeNotta Seafood

Hood Canal | denottaseafood.com

DeNotta harvests their oysters wild, off land owned by community members on the Hood Canal. This approach offers consumers not only the freshest oysters, but also the knowledge that you are part of a new perspective on seafood harvesting. The owners of the land are also the stewards of their beaches as it is in their best interest to have a healthy shoreline.

Hama Hama Oyster Farm

Hood Canal | hamahamaoyster.com

35846 US-101, Lilliwaup, WA 98555

This high energy destination serves oysters with an ever changing menu of seasonal local ingredients. Purchase a variety of local products including smoked salmon and crab. Hama Hama is a 5th generation family farm celebrated 100 years in 2022!

Taylor Shellfish

Puget Sound locations | taylorshellfishfarms.com

South Puget Sound and British Columbia

Stop in at Taylor Shellfish’s headquarters and visit their market near Shelton. Taylor’s specialties include the Kumamoto (sweet fruity flavor) and the Virginica (Crisp, briny, and buttery). The company has been farming oysters on Puget Sound since the 1890’s.

Oysterville Sea Farms

Willipa Bay | willapawild.com

34300 1st St, Oysterville

Dining room, retail oyster sales ads well as locally sourced gifts. The Gold Rush (1849) drew significant numbers of settlers to Oysterville. Gold miners spent their gold on Willapa Bay oysters. Schooners with oysters to be shipped to San Francisco. Farm store open Thursday through Sunday.

Experience Mike’s Beach Resort .

Family owned and operated since 1951, this historic treasure is nestled along the Olympic National Forest on the shores of Hood Canal. Hosting it’s own commercial oyster farm, guests enjoy the old world ‘camp charm’ with spectacular fjord views, fantastic diving & hiking – and the freshest oysters & clams.

Book your fjord getaway today.

Olympic Oyster Co. & Mike's Beach Resort

Hood Canal | olympicoysterco.com

38470 N US Highway 101, Lilliwaup, Third-generation farmers, Matthew and Sara are serious about producing some award winning oysters on site for market and available at restaurants. Guests staying on the active farm (aka Mike’s Beach Resort) stay in waterfront cabins and rooms, with view of the canal and have first dibs on some of the freshest oysters on the fjord!

The Fjord Oyster Bank Sea Nymph Oysters

Hoodsport & Hammersley | southsoundoysters.com

24341 N Hwy 101 Hoodsport | (360) 877-2102

For the last decade and a half the Hansen family has been raising oysters and clams on South Puget Sound's nutrient rich waterway, Hammersley Inlet. . Through a tumble bag and a bag to beach process these oysters have distinct merrior as well as shape profiles resulting from their growth process despite being in the geographic. The tumble bag Hemingways have a sweet cucumber finish while the beach finished Sea Nymphs have a kelpy taste. Hemingways (coined from Ernest Heminway's famous oyster quote) as well as Sea Nymphs are available for raw and grilled preparation at the Fjord Oyster Bank on Hoodsport, WA.

So when it comes to a month with an "r" in it, this is a good rule of thumb if you haven't access to Department of Health of Fish & Wildlife web resources – however, if you are ever unsure, be assured that local farmers are constantly testing their waters and product and strive to provide the freshest and safest product to their customers. Shellfishtrail.org

2023 Oysterfest

October 7 & 8

10 AM – 6 PM Saturday

10 AM – 5 PM Sunday

SATURDAY: Admission $10

(Children 6 and under FREE)

SUNDAY: Family and Military Day

Admission $10; Active Military $5

(Children 12 and under FREE)

ATTENDING BOTH DAYS?

Save by purchasing a TWO-DAY ticket for just $16.00!

FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE

Our Local Bivalves Get to know a few species

NATIVE LITTLENECK CLAM

Up to 3.5” with rounded shell displaying concentric rings and radiating ridge lines, cream, gray, brown, or mottled. White inside shell; found at 6-10” deep in gravel, mud, mid-tide level.

MANILA LITTLENECK CLAM (NOT NATIVE)

Up to 2.5”, oblong shell, Color can vary—typically gray,brown, or mottled and often times with what appears to be hand painted designs; some purple on the inside shell; found at 2-4” in gravel, mud, sand, typically above the half-tide level.

BUTTER CLAM

Up to 5”, shell with concentric rings (no radiating ridge lines), Yellow to gray/white colored; found at 1-1.5’ in sand, gravel, or cobble; lower intertidal or shallow sub-tidal zone. Butter clams retain marine biotoxins longer than other clams.

COCKLE CLAM

Up to 5” with round shell; prominent evenly-spaced radiating ridges fanning from hinge; mottled, light brown color; found at 1-2” in sand, mud in intertidal or sub-tidal zone.

PACIFIC OYSTERS (NOT NATIVE)

Up to 12”, white/gray oblong shell with irregular, wavy edges; found in intertidal zone; tumbled (farmed) Pacifics have cupped shape with fragile shells.

OLYMPIA OYSTER

Up to 3”, rounded shell, white to purplish black and may be striped with yellow or brown; oyster’s flesh is a light olive green with a metallic flavor. Native oyster to the area and currently protected in wild habitats.

Mussels

Blue Mussel (native) up to 3”, California Mussel (native) up to 6”, Mediterranean non-native) up to 5”. Oblong shell, blueblack or brown, attaches to rocks, pilings, boats, gravel, or other hard surfaces in the intertidal zone with bissel threads.

Geoduck

Up to 10”, 2.5 – 10 lbs. Gaping oblong shell with concentric rings; white shell with flaky brown skin; siphon and mantle are too large to withdraw; found at depth of 2-3’ in mud, sand, gravel in the sub-tidal zone (extreme low tides).

Forage on Washington’s Wild Side.

Mason County’s saltwater bays and inlets along Hood Canal and South Puget Sound are renown for some of the tastiest and freshest bivalves in the Northwest. Visit for the pristine waters, open wilderness and public beaches stocked annually for families to enjoy!

LILLIWAUP STATE PARK

Full off on Hwy 101, stairway to beach at north opening of Lilliwaup Bay. Walk north or south when tide is out. Oysters and Clams. Eagles and osprey. Overnight RV camping permitted; no restrooms.

TAYLOR SHELLFISH

130 SE Lynch Rd Shelton (360) 432-3300

Taylor’s product line includes worldwide export of geoduck, clams, mussels and oysters. Headquartered in Kamilche, retail store is open daily. taylorshellfish.com

Hoodsport

Public boat dock with beach access. Starfish and crabs at low tide. Closed to shellfish gathering. Picnic tables & restrooms,nearby dining, grocery and shopping.

POTLATCH BEACH PARK

Longest stretch of public beach, popular for swimming, kayaking, and picnics. Camping & restrooms.

Oysterfest

Traditionally held in October at Shelton Airport, the two day festival features seafood delicacies prepared by local non-profits as well as the Northwest Oyster Shucking Championship & live music.

WALKER PARK

Beach access, playground, restrooms, picnic shelter basketball court. Olympic Hwy to Arcadia Rd, from Rd take Left on Walker Park Rd, Park is on right. No shellfish harvest. No passes required.

OYSTER BAY

Easy beach access on marshy estuary. Popular for bird watching and salmon observing/fishing. Pullout on Hwy 101 near Mile Marker 356; near KENNEDY CREEK INTERPRETATIVE TRAIL.

CREEK beach when tide is out, obey signs. Excellent oyster beach. for swimming in summer. from Eagle Creek Saloon.

35846 US-101, Lilliwaup

5th generation farm serves oysters prepared to order with an ever changing menu of seasonal local ingredients. Retail store and farm dining. hamahamaoyster.com

DEWATTO BAY

Small beach with dramatic view of the Olympics. Lots of ripe berries in late summer. From Belfair: take the Belfair-Tahuya Road to Dewatto Rd. Continue four miles to Dewatto. Parking limited.

BELFAIR STATE PARK

Nice beaches for walking and exploring with summer water temperatures surprisingly warm. Restrooms, camping and picnic facilities.

CHECK. CHILL. COOK.

CHECK: Health closures and advisories: doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety

Harvesting closures: wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulation

Signs on the beach: Follow posted warnings and respect private property.

CHILL: Harvest shellfish on the outgoing tide and put on ice as soon as possible to prevent bacterial growth. Keep them cold until ready to eat. Cover in fridge with a wet cloth to prevent drying out.

COOK: Cook shellfish in summer months when Vibrio illnesses can occur. To kill Vibrio bacteria cook shellfish to 145° F for at least 15 seconds, cooking does not destroy biotoxins.

Do not harvest in areas with pollution closures. Ask your doctor before eating raw shellfish if you have any concerns about allergies, are taking medications, or have a weakened immune system (such as cancer, liver disease, or HIV). Shellfish are a great and healthy food.

Avoid illness by following the 3 C’s above and enjoy!

North Bay

MENARD’S LANDING

Expansive beach (at low tide), picnic area, and views of the Olympics. RENDSLAND CREEK, DNR owned clams and oysters open all year.

ALLYN

Gazebo, garden, play area, pier, restrooms and beach access with boat launch.

TWANOH STATE PARK

Excellent camping, swimming, kayaking, picnic sites, and shellfish harvesting.

UNION CITY MARKET

5101 E State Route 106 | Union | (360) 898-3500

Art, gifts, seafood and grocery items and seasonal cafe within a working marina.

HUNTER FARMS

921 WA-106, Union | (360) 426-2222

Direct farm to market retail includes Hood Canal oysters at the general store located on the farm.

Hope Island State Park

A 106-acre marine camping park reachable only by boat. Covered with old-growth forests and saltwater marshes, the park features a beach oneand-a-half miles long. Access by boat only.

Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar

222 CAPITOL WAY N, OLYMPIA | (360) 915-7784

Eld & Totten Inlet, South Puget Sound

Chelsea Farm have made a priority of farming the native Olympia oyster that was on it’s way to extinction. Visit their oyster bar in Olympia for local seafood experience! chelseafarms.net

Community park offers beach access, a picnic area and portable restroom and is very popular with kayakers, fishermen and local residents. Located on SR-3 at the south end of Allyn. The parking area is open only during the shellfish season.

Local Seafood

Here are a few locations that serve Hood Canal & South Puget Sound seafood on their menus.

Bistro at Lakeland Village 470 E Country Club Dr, Allyn (360) 277-4137

Boat House Restaurant

18340 E WA 3, Allyn (360) 275-2954

Burger Claim & More 24171 WA 3, Belfair (360) 277-5141

The Fjord Oyster Bank 24341 N US Hwy 101, Hoodsport (360) 877-2102

Hama Hama Oyster Saloon 35846 US-101, Lilliwaup (360) 877-5811

Hook & Fork 5101 E State Route 106, Union (360) 898-3500

View

Restaurant at Alderbrook 10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union (360) 898-2200

Smoking Mo’s 233 S. 1st St, Shelton (360) 462-0163

Spencer Lake Bar & Grill

1180 E Pickering Rd, Shelton (360) 426-2505

Squaxin Island Seafood Bar 91 West State Route 108, Shelton (360) 432-7120

Taylor Station 62 SE Lynch Rd, Shelton (360) 426-8501

Tides Family Restaurant 27061 US-101, Hoodsport (360) 877-8921

New Scuba Company in Brinnon

Jade Scuba Adventures (based in Port Orchard) recently opened a second location behind Cove RV in Brinnon.

Jade Scuba is offers beginner and advance scuba certifications and is currently teaching open-water certifications to Boy Scouts getting their merit badge at Camp Parsons. Camp Parsons is one of the oldest Boy Scout camps in the country and one of the few offering salt water scuba training.

Outdoor Market Opens in Brinnon

Starting Aug 6, Brinnon teacher, Lisa Johnston, & realtor husband, Wade Johnston, will be hosting an “outdoor market” (similar to a farmer’s market) at their lot next to the Brinnon General Store.

The couple plans to host the Sunday markets through August and September this year. If it is successful they plan on beginning earlier in the season in 2024.

For more information about this new market or to sign up for a vendor space, contact Lisa at (360)301-9333

Tiny Homes BIG Future Fundraiser

On Saturday, September 30, 6-8PM join in a fundraiser to supporting the Quixote Communities tiny house project in Shelton and help celebrate and raise funds for residents' BIG Futures!

The event will be hosted at the Pavilion, 190 W. Sentry Dr. Support a better quality of life. Cost $50pp, tickets at quixotecommunities.org.

New Brinnon—based business offering skippered charters on Hood Canal

Owner/ operators Katherine

O’Leary-Cole and Kelley

Bronaugh also offer shorter cruises focused on nature & sightseeing for kids (check out the live display from our remote operated vehicle that we drop below the waters at amazing dive sites for live images of fish up close without the dive suit!), day-long kayaking & shellfish cruises or custom charters.

This fall the company hosts its first “all-inclusive weekends” that target divers & their non-diving partners.

Enjoy exclusive events like “Evening with an Artist” in their private studio where a small groups have a private storytelling experience, tour artist’s studio and leave with custom artwork.

One evening will offer a “Riverside Retreat” on the Duckabush with views of Mt Jupiter and live music. Katherine and Kelley also look forward to offering many custom diving, kayaking, sightseeing & fine dining outings on their boat. For details on a cruise, visit olympicoasisdive.com

September 16

Quilcene Fair & Parade

10AM TO 3PM kids carnival - exhibit hall - Raffle vendors - Parade - car show @11am free admission! All ages event!

Focusing on foodie-based dinner cruises, Pallin’ Around Charters offers charters around North Hood Canal for up to 6 guests on their restored 36' Grand Banks trawler. quilcenefair.org