Crossword Genius

Fish around a small stand (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

easel

'stand' is the definition.
(easel is a kind of stand)

'fish around a small' is the wordplay.
'fish' becomes 'eel' (eel is a kind of fish**).
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'a'+'s'='as'
'eel' going around 'as' is 'EASEL'.

(Other definitions for easel that I've seen before include "Artist's tripod" , "Artistic support" , "board support" , "Painter's support" , "Artist's stand for painting" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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