Most fishermen fish for various reasons, but most of the time, they’re seeking out the next monster in the water. The experience is also important because nothing beats a day of fishing, but no one goes out with the goal of catching the tiniest fish they can find, right?
The art of tanago fishing prizes the tiniest fish as the biggest catch. This Japanese tradition dates back over 200 years ago and involves catching tanago fish, which can be as small as the nail of a pinky finger.
In order to catch these fish, you can’t just use any rod. A special handmade bamboo fishing rod called an Edo Wazao is required for tanago fishing. Twin brothers Toryo and Shuhei Tosaku are doing their best to keep up the craft of Edo Wazao. They’re hoping to carry on the legacy of the generations before them as there are less than 10 trained craftsmen who practice this art.
