Micro Fishing - Thinking Small in 2021

People fish for all sorts of reasons.  To put tasty meals on the table.  To catch something impressive enough to mount on the wall.  Or simply to enjoy the majesty of pristine lakes and rivers.  And then some of us want to catch minnows in culverts.

Micro fishing is a fairly new thing around here.  It involves using tiny tackle to catch small fish that usually would otherwise never be taken.  It appeals to those of us trying to catch the widest range; the greatest number of species.  In this it is a bit like "Birding".  I guess being part of the initial launch of Chubfest in 2017 and previously tagging along on various DNR fish surveys - where minnows were shocked and counted - makes me an Elder Statesman in the local Micro Fishing world.

But now it's time to gear up for a serious effort in the year ahead.  And speaking of gear....

This is obviously catch and release fishing, so it is important to take good photos.  Otherwise you'll be hard pressed to even identify some of the little critters.

The coin is a nice touch, it helps with the scale of things.  But for better pictures many microfishermen carry a small plastic container.  Tiny fish and a bit of water go in, take your pics, return it to the puddle.  I built one out of, naturally, surplus robot supplies.

Then you need tackle.  I had a birthday recently and was given a repurposed ice fishing rod with some really fine line.  Also, some tackle.  Here's what would be considered a large hook for micro fishing:

Assorted coins seem to be the traditional backdrops for all things Micro Fishy!

If this seems a bit over the top in my pursuit of Strange Fish, well, have you been doing more rational things in the endless Covid Lock Down?