The Worldwide Web is the contemporary equivalent of Dorothy's great and powerful Oz, and most of us don't know any more about the Internet than she and the Scarecrow did about the mysterious, mustachioed man behind the curtain.

Despite its inherently vague nature, many people embrace this electronic wizard and everything on it as accurate when a high percentage of its content is not. 

For the sakes of brevity and relevance, let's address only the fishing- and conservation-related content on the Web, and how to distinguish fact and truth from smoke and mirrors. 

First, consider the source. Who wrote it? Is that individual associated in any official capacity with a recognized and respected organization, such as CCA? What are his or her personal credentials?

Civilians certainly are entitled to share their opinions and may contribute greatly to a discussion, but there is tremendous potential for mistruth in the anonymity of electronic communication - especially in forums that allow authors to use nicknames. Looking at two essays on catch-and-release mortality, for example, I would be more inclined to accept as credible the one from Dr. John Smith, Dean of Marine Biology at XYZ University than the one from bubblehead@fishnet.com. If the piece from 'bubblehead' is the only one posted, however, its assertions - no matter how farfetched they may be - pass unchallenged into readers' minds. 

Next, ask yourself why this person wrote what you see on the screen. Is the motivation personal? Professional? Political? Commercial? Outdoors-related television programs and videos are notorious for their "advertainment" content, and even print journalism has its share of writers who will inject blatant, gratuitous product plugs into their stories for a half-dozen rubber worms. 

There is no inflection in the written word. In print, anyone can portray himself or herself as calm and wise when, in person, it might be obvious that he or she is a few hooks short of a tackle box. 

If the writer is trying to make a case for some management-related issue, what facts and references are being offered in support of that position? Beware the phrases "everybody knows" and "experts agree," which in many cases can be translated to "this is what I think, so there's no sense wasting my time looking up all those people who agree with me." If everybody knows something, there is no reason to mention it. And if experts agree, why not name a couple of them? 

Chat rooms and discussion boards often are frequented by people who want to share non-traditional ideas and who, for the most part, have no another forum in which to unload them. These electronic locker rooms are great places to pick up the occasional tackle tip or get a good laugh, but much of the information that gets presented as hard, straight fact at these sites is simply opinion with an attitude. 

For straightforward answers to questions about marine fisheries issues or conservation, start with CCA's national Web site, which is listed at the bottom of this page. If you want more specific information on fishing and fisheries close to home, try your own state's CCA site. 

The men and women who serve as Webmasters for CCA's state chapters and for our national site take great pride in what they do. They are creative and thorough, a combination of traits that makes for comprehensive, easy-to-navigate sites containing far fewer surprises than what Dorothy encountered along her yellow-brick road. 

One of the most exciting aspects of the Web is its ability to connect us with fishermen and conservationists in other parts of the country and the world. I've been in contact recently with a man from Spain who, like me, is a writer and editor. If all goes well, you'll be seeing a piece from him in an upcoming issue of TIDE. 

Remember as you "surf" Internet fishing and conservation sites to use the reply function as often as possible. Information flows in all directions, and each of us has at least a small obligation to forward CCA's message to people who are not yet members. 

The success of this fascinating thing we call the Worldwide Web is linked directly to our hunger for knowledge. No matter how old we get, each of us at some level remains as curious as a child. Some people focus their continuing education on specific topics, and others gobble up bits and pieces of everything. We all like to learn. 

There is vast difference, however, between learning and learning the truth, and the Internet offers no means of distinguishing fact from fiction. Enjoy the wealth of electronic information out there, but watch out for the flying monkeys. 

Should you ever find yourself overwhelmed by the Internet and all it is, just double-click your heels and say, "There's no place like homepage."