On July 10, 2000, Nancy Solomon interviewed Jerry Collins as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history project. Jerry, a lifelong resident of the Sayville area in Bay Shore, often accompanied his father into the bay, beginning his full-time involvement in clamming in 1946, primarily as a tonger. He discusses the significance of facing the elements and perseverance in this line of work and the importance of having a good boat and engine. He explains the methods of tonging and describes the types and sizes of tongs used. Although he never transitioned to raking, Jerry mentions clamming in various types of bottoms wherever clams can be found. Jerry reminisces about the golden years of clamming from 1950 to 1985 when it was highly productive. He acknowledges the ambition among clammers when the clamming was good and talks about the impact of weather conditions, emphasizing the challenges posed by wet and cold conditions. Safety has generally not been a major concern, and Jerry mentions his obligation to help those in trouble on the water. Jerry reflects on how working on the bay has shaped his life, providing both freedom and opportunities to make a living. However, he laments the decline of the bay due to factors such as bulkheading, wetland loss, runoff, and population growth. He discusses the difficulty of replicating nature through aquaculture and expresses his desire for people to recognize baymen as hardworking individuals. Jerry concludes by stating that the era of clamming as he knew it is over and reflects on the changes that have occurred in the industry.