bubblegum fisherman

person who uses a piece of bubblegum or other similar substance at the end of a string thats then tied to a stick and used to "fish" out dropped items that have fallen through sidewalk grates used to vent buildings and subways

Homeless people in NYC often take on the role of bubblegum fisherman. Particularly in winter when warm drafts waft up to the street and warm them up. Plenty of gum and discarded trash all over NYC so the materials are free.