1. A system for removing fine particulate matter from a fluid, comprising: an inflow fluid stream comprising fine particulate matter and coarse particulate matter suspended therein; an initial separator for separating the inflow fluid stream into an overflow fluid path comprising the suspended fine particulate matter and an underflow fluid path comprising the suspended coarse particulate matter; a tether injector that introduces into the underflow path a tethering material capable of being affixed to the coarse particulate matter to form tether-bearing anchor particles, said tether-bearing anchor particles being suspended in a treated fluid stream, said treated fluid stream admixing with the overflow fluid path to form a conjoined fluid stream; an activator injector that introduces into the conjoined fluid stream an activating material capable of being affixed to the fine particulate matter to form activated particles, said activated particles interacting with the tether-bearing anchor particles to form removable complexes; and a settling facility, where the removable complexes are separated from the conjoined treated fluid stream, thereby removing fine particulate matter from the fluid.