Man falls in canal fighting bass

GENESEO, Ill. (AP) — Eighty-one-year-old Don Minnaert of Geneseo blames a hard-fighting largemouth bass — and his own stubbornness — for his 15-foot fall into the old Hennepin Canal.

But Minnaert credits that same stubbornness — plus his son’s dog, Calli — for surviving the fall and the cold water in the canal.

Minnaert says he was pulling in small panfish with his ultra light rig when the bass took his lure Tuesday afternoon. He says the bass fought so well that he lost track of what he was doing and fell into the canal.

Minnaert went under several times before he managed to find a tiny foothold and hold on while Calli the dog attracted aid to him.

The bass got away, but Minnaert says he will be back to get it.