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.