Exactly, WHY, a good drag is needed!

HALLOWELL, Maine - A man who was drowning in a Maine river is recovering after someone reeled him in with a fishing rod.

Bob Greene of Hallowell says he heard what he thought was a bird early Thursday as he was having his morning coffee. He then realized there was a man bobbing in the Kennebec River.

He says a 911 dispatcher told him to throw something to the man. He snagged the man's shirt with a fishing lure and reeled him in.

The rescued man is in critical condition at a Portland hospital.



Hallowell Police Chief Eric Nason says Greene did the right thing by calling police first and not jumping into the water.




(Thankfully, too, this rescuer didn't believe strongly in "Catch & Release!?)