Rick Mercer goes clam digging on P.E.I.

Rick Mercer says he usually hunts for clams by opening the menu, pointing to the word "clams," and placing an order.

But the CBC comedian didn't really know much about clams "other than the fact they are delicious." Until, that is, he went on a recent clam-digging expedition in Georgetown, P.E.I.

The segment was featured on the Oct. 13, 2015, episode of the Rick Mercer Report on CBC Television. 

Perry Gotell with Tranquility Cove Adventures took Mercer to Boughton Island off Georgetown, where they donned wetsuits, grabbed clamming rakes and, of course, hilarity ensued.

When they finally caught enough giant bar clams to classify as lunch, Gotell's crew built a bonfire on the beach, where they proceeded to cook.

"I didn't know it was going to be a cooking show," Mercer quipped as they put him to work tending the bubbling pot. "But it's, like, the best cooking show ever." 

Mercer noted that the work is "physically exhausting" and learned that even though the methods are primitive, a fisherman harvesting giant bar clams usually digs a tonne or more of clams per day. 

For more of Rick's adventures on the Rick Mercer Report, click here.