Fresh Water Clams ???
 

I was floating along on OH and suddenly a rather large clam surfaced and was swimming along. I netted it and put it in my live well and took it home then got to thinking i should have left it in the river.

Well I got home feeling guilty so I put it in the creek outback to check on it later. Well when I went back to where I left it I found it devoured by crawdads.

Is there any redeeming value to the clam, I understand they ingest bacteria unsafe to humans making eating them out of the question. They make a pretty Mother of Pearl ashtray.

Are there beds of these things maybe pearling? Strike it rich? ;) I imagine they might make good bait?? Never thought of trying it but then I never remember even seeing any of any size this one was about 5" across and 2" tall.

Now Im reading about they are nearing extinction and are important to the ecology with much value to their presence. That they require a host FISH to complete their cycle would they not be a danger to the fish population or health or has nature worked that all out. I read frequently at various landing about washing your boat etc when moving from one body of water to another and do so is it a trade off sort of like cant live with them or without them?

Lot of work going on with freshwater mussels in Tennessee. Many are disappearing across the state. Here is the TWRA link:

http://www.tn.gov/twra/fish/mussels/mussel1.html

And yes there are still commercial harvests happening although I think most are over on Kentucky Lake.

Jim

I found a small pearl in one on Old Hickory once, but it wasn't very good quality.

Freshwater mussels actually make pretty good catfish bait, but these days I usually leave them alone. Some species are endangered and there are other good baits that are easier to get.

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This lady tells all about tennessee mussels. Also talks about the host fish.
http://youtu.be/Lz9hWuzmYsg

Interesting life cycle good video.

Birdsong Resort Marina
 

I thought you might find this interesting.
http://www.birdsongresort.com/pearlfarm/

Fat women in bikinis.

yikes