The Grate Fishermen of New York

If you dropped your valuables down the drain in Times Square, you may think that you've lost them for good, but not to the grate fishermen of New York.
Meet Eliel Santos, who makes his living with dental floss and mousetrap glue fishing things from the city sidewalk grates. Gary Buiso of The New York Post followed him for a day:

Over the years, Santos has perfected his gear. He ditched the string because it was too fragile, experimented with fishing line but found it too inflexible, and now uses dental floss exclusively — 120 yards worth of Aim brand. “It’s only $1.19.”
The line is MacGyvered with black electrician’s tape to differed sized weights — found metallic objects — to accommodate even the narrowest grate.
He changes the Blue-Touch mouse glue about three times a shift, which spans generally from 9 am to about 2 pm.
To snag cash, he uses a tiny fishing hook that he’s straightened out like a spear. Heavy objects are hauled in using two or more glue weights, and a traditional fish hook is also used on occasion to grab hard-to-snag earrings or chains.
Sometimes he uses a pair of binoculars and a flashlight, and he’ll wear purple rubber gloves on occasion.
“In case it’s in toxic water,” he explains.

Read the rest over at the New York Post.