Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 18/05) - The first time was not the charm for a Yellowknife dentist who has two friends to blame for an expensive fishing experience on Prosperous Lake.

A wildlife officer busted the Northwest Territories newcomer for trolling without a license, Aug. 31, 2005.

The dentist was fined $287.50 Tuesday in territorial court after pleading guilty. Violations of the Fisheries Act are not considered criminal offences, although they can be punished by 12 months behind bars.

Two friends took the dentist onto Prosperous Lake, about 15-kilometres north of Yellowknife.

While his the friends provided fishing gear and the boat, defence lawyer Margot Nightingale said they neglected to mention the dentist needed a licence to fish in the Northwest Territories.

The 36-year-old had just moved to Yellowknife from San Francisco.

"Here we have three friends who were out for an afternoon," Nightingale said. The dentist had never fished before and had no idea a licence was necessary, she said.

Judge Robert Gorin believed the man, but said "ignorance of the law is not an excuse."

The dentist was given one month to pay his fine.