The only solution that I can offer that has not been mention is that you need to make something like this out of a heavy gauge wire.
Take a piece of wire and wrap it several turns around a broom handle or something about the size of the object you are trying to retrieve. On the other end make a crank handle. Insert it down the toilet and and do a gentle twist as it goes down. You should be able to feel it if it grabs hold. Then gentle pull it out.
I have use this method to retrieve wire from electrical conduit.
