Jerry Collins, a lifelong resident of the Sayville area in Bay Shore, was born there and spent most of his life in the region, except for his military service. His father worked as a fisherman, clammer, and oysterman, instilling in Jerry a deep connection to the maritime activities of the area. Growing up, Jerry often accompanied his father into the bay, although he admits that he probably got in his way more often than not. In 1946, Jerry began his full-time involvement in clamming, primarily as a tonger. He has primarily worked in Islip town but has also worked in surrounding towns.

Scope and Content Note
Jerry Collins, a lifelong resident of Sayville, shares his experiences as a clammer and bayman. He discusses his involvement in clamming since 1946, primarily as a tonger, and the significance of facing the elements and perseverance in this line of work. Jerry talks about the importance of having a good boat and engine, describing his use of a WWII landing craft converted into a clam boat and his current wooden boat, highlighting the comfort it provides. He explains the methods of tonging and discusses the types and sizes of tongs used. Although he never transitioned to raking due to his age, 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, receiving letters of gratitude from those he has assisted. He recounts his experiences clamming during the winters and navigating icy conditions, stating that he has been fortunate and has never had to stay overnight on the bay. 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.