Squirrel Fishing

By John Farrier in Animals & Pets, Video Clips on Mar 3, 2010 at 1:05 pm

This freaky video demonstrates what Weird Asia News describes as a trendy hobby in Japan: squirrel fishing. It involves attaching a nut to a fishing line and raising a squirrel off the ground when it bites in.

Ever since 1997, Japanese men, women, and children have been fishing for squirrels as a fun and harmless pastime.[...]

The goal of squirrel fishing is to lift a squirrel into the air using only a fishing pole with a nut tied to a string as bait. The fishing pole can either be a real fishing pole, or simply a long stick tied to a rope. Either way, the pole is cast in front of a hungry squirrel in the hope that he will jump for it and latch on, allowing the fisherman or fisherwoman to raise the furry little critter off the ground and into the air.

Link via Urlesque

Tags: japan, squirrel fishing, squirrels

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SarahS
Mar 3rd, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I remember this show. They didn’t last long on our networks due to the blatant nudity with absolutely no warning.
Other than that.. hilarious.
Dean
Mar 3rd, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Good old Banzai – great post-pub entertainment. Mr Shake Hand Man was a favourite. Betting ends!
lewen
Mar 3rd, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Used to do the same with kindergarteners. I attended a K-12 school. My Chemistry class was on the second floor and overlooked Kindergartener’s recess. Our fishing line was athletic tape and we never lifted them more than a few inches. The Chem teacher thought it was hilarious… the recess monitor however was quite steamed.
abdulhamid
Mar 3rd, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Those things carry rabies. I strongly advise against such an activity.
tigergulp
Mar 3rd, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Woot! I know what I’m doing tomorrow! *grabs a pole and a line* See ya’ll down by the pecan trees!
RIE
Mar 3rd, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I’m Japanese.
They are NOT Japanese.
I think it’s Chinese language they are talking.
Don’t know if it’s Mandarin or Kantonese.
Those characters on the back ground seem like it’s Chinese, too.

But I hope I can see this show in Japan.
It’s funny.
Lester
Mar 3rd, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Banzai was never a real Japanese show, just a show spoofing Japanese culture. It’s entertaining, although it’s a shame it has to come at the expense of Asian culture. A bit like a minstrel show, really.
UrbanElf
Mar 4th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Abdulhamid – Banzai was a British-aired TV show and we don’t have rabies over here (at least, very very rarely and it’s a massive deal if it ever happens and is dealt with quickly). So we can fish away safely
monkeyface
Mar 4th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Do you need a license to catch squirrels?
monkeyface
Mar 4th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
… I assume it’s not a fishing license.

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