Eliel Santos, New York City Man Who Fishes Valuables out of Sidewalk Drains

Eliel Santos sidewalk drain fisherman

The New York Post recently spent a workday with Eliel Santos, a New York City resident who spends his days fishing valuables out of sidewalk drains around the city. Over his 8 year sidewalk fishing career he has devised a number of specialized lures to pick up different types of valuables: he uses fish hooks to pick up cash, and mousetrap glue for larger objects. On a good day he can collect $150 in cash and valuables (which he pawns). His best catch ever was a $1,800 ring.

photo by Angel Chevrestt

E.D.W. Lynch
E.D.W. Lynch

Writer and humor generalist on the Internet and on Facebook.