Evening star., 1928-03-15
three men recently arrested in
Virginia charged with violation
of the bass law we're allowed to

HE three men recently arrested in
Virginia charged with violation
/, of the bass law were allowed to
Il go free. Justice of the Peace
Sheppard of Occoquan. Va, de-
| clarcd there was not sufficient evidence
to convict them.
Section 3205 of the Virginia fish laws
read: ITO protect certain fish In the
| bays, creeks. inlets and streams tribu-
tary to the Potomac River"---It shall be
unlawful to capture or kill any species
of fish known as black bass, green bass,
club, crappie. calico or strawberry
| bass, by means of any haul seine drag
net. pouch net or any other device
hauled from and landed on the shore,
or hauled from any other place or con-
trivance and landed on the shore or
elsewhere. In any OF the bays, creeks,
inlets and streams tributary to the Po-
tomac River, In the State of Virginia,
IN tidewater. or above tidewater, or to
XIII any OF said species of fish by means
or explosives. drugs or poisons, at any
time In any of the aforesaid waters.
Section 32lO of the Virginia FISH laws
read: ANY person violating any of the
provision OF the preceding section
shall be deemed guilty OF a misde-
meanor and shall be punished by a fine
OF not less than $40 nor more than $50,
or Imprisonment In jail for no more
than thirty days. or both, at the discre-
ton OF the justice or jury trying the
case"
What this column and also the thou
sands OF local anglers want to know is
what evidence Is necessary to convict
man Of violating the fishing laws of
the state OF Virginia. II Is true the
men arrested were not caught operating
the sein and taking their catch to
shore. but they were caught with them
In their possession. One of the men
arrested is alleged to be second Of
fender. The commonwealth attorney
OF Prince Williams County, who was to
prosecute the men. failed to show up at
the trial, and 1T is said the justice try
ing the case brought up an old law
which says something about the provi-
Slons OF these sections not be applic-
able unless they are in force in the
states OF West Virginia and Maryland,
-, during the last three or four years
illegal fishermen in Virginia have been
afraid to ply their trade, not knowing
Just what punishment might be given
them. and their activities have been
curtailed to a great extent. But now
that these men have been allowed to
escape without punishment. just what
the effect will be Is easy TO see.
There are many advocates Of the
barbless fishing hooks, but It Is only
recently that some action by a Gov
ernment has been contemplated. Thi.
comes from British Columbia In a re.
port from Consul G. c. Woodward.
Prince Rupert. Canada, made public
by the Department Of Commerce. The
brbless hook. 1t is claimed by the
Canadian fish and game authorities
will aid propagation work.
Many states In Canada are said to
have already prohibited barbed hooks.
The hook itself. it Is said. seldom is
fatal to the caught fish when too small
to be kept. but 1t Is contact with
human hands. necessary to twist out
the barbed hook. which causes death,
propagation experts claim. With the
barbless hook. according to authorities.
all that would be necessary to free the
fisn would be slight fitting.
Major conservation problems OF
America will be discussed and acted
upon by the Nations authorities on
these matters when the Izaak Walton
League of America meets In annual
convention at Omaha, Nebr., from
April 10 TO 81.
Leading conservationists, nationally
known sportsmen. outdoor writers, and
In fact the leaders In every line OF
outdoor endeaVor congregate at the
Leagues annual sessions. Flood con-
troll, reforestration, propagation OF wild
life. elimination of pollution OF waters