Quiet Beauty In Nature Plus A Green Weenie

Beauty surrounds us daily you just have to keep an eye out for it.  While on the beach last week I couldn't help but snapping a few pics of just a few of these wonders.  Sometimes it takes just a moment to pause and make your mind take in all that the eyes are seeing.  If you do, you might just be amazed what you find.

   Passing this giant palm while hiking I noticed that the nights rain had done it a favor of washing away all the yellow pine pollen from its surface and left a bright green color behind.  With the sun behind the core of the frond the pure greens lit up the forest floor.  This example of simple beauty and texture in nature is amazing to me.  I challenge you to take a moment and  stop thinking in terms of this as just another palm frond and instead look at the geometrical pattern of lines and color.  If you look deep enough you will be just as astonished as I was.

  Another discovery was not an unusual one in terms of what ones discovery while walking through a forest but if you really take the time you will see the minute detailed beauty of this simple bug.   Most fly fishing enthusiast will back me up when I tell you that as a group, we anglers take a keener interest in the small details of bugs than the average human.  For us it is a mater of necessity in our sport to note the characteristics of these insects as they relate to fish food.  It not only helps identify the names of these small creatures but helps us in our crafting of flies through the use of colors, materials, and size required for such an insect.
  My little boy - whose hand is holding the little green guy - was also extremely excited to discover this insect.  He was also very interested in all the fine details which goes to prove that as humans our desire to learn about the world around us starts from a very young age.  It is up to us as parents to nurture that interest in order to raise children that can grow into intelligent grown ups.  A bit off topic but its my blog so here it goes: Don't count of others to raise your kids and educate them. Just like you shouldn't expect the government to supply all your wants and desires.  Its your life and your kids, if you don't take an active part in their development then they wont grow up to be very productive in life.
  Now that you had your dose of common sense for the day I'll continue.  After holding this for a minute my boy put two and two together and said, "Will fish eat this?"  That's my boy!

  All that time having them poor over fly tying books for the next recipe to tie up had payed off.  "Of course it will.  In fact I have seen those sunfish and trout you like to catch gobble them up." I told him.  I then made a note to tie up some examples of these little bugs once I got home.  This poor example is my take on a #12 Green Weenie without the tag.  Simple yet effective I used:  green wire, bright green dubbing, black dubbing for the head, and green thread.  After that I topped it all off with a coating of Clear Cure Goo.

  I don't know if there are many people left out there that have not seen or used Clear Cure Goo products before but if you haven't then you are missing out.  This stuff is the catch all for any epoxy or sealant you need.  From coating the back of a #20 nymph to crafting the head of a #1-0 tarpon streamer this stuff works!  This company is run by a couple of  Great Guys I have actually had the privileged of meeting and this un-solicited endorsement is a long time coming.  If you haven't used it before, do yourself and your fly tying a favor and click over, buy a starter set, and give them a shot.  You won't be disappointed.  You might also want to check out their blog HERE.

  As if one un-solicited endorsement isn't enough, I'll add in another.  While traveling for work or pleasure I am always on the lookout for fly shops.  This past week while down on the coast I once again had the pleasure of stopping by the BayStreet Outfitters of Beaufort, SC.  If you are ever fortunate enough to be down in that small corner of the world and want to drool over gear or book a chartered redfish trip - look them up.  Great small shop with the friendliest staff.