This windswept scene was inspired by the frequent typhoons here in the country. My brother and I grew up in a 2-room shack like this. No electricity, no running water. But we were happy. This one is special even to me.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
My brother with one of his creations. This was prior to the pandemic. This tree is most likely raggedy right now.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
Sometimes you just gotta back off and find another way. This crew looks serious.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Outdoors
My faithful travel companion. A little grungy now after meandering thru four continents in a decade.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Outdoors
Don't ask me how little brother managed to do this to that earthen pot without destroying it completely; I'm baffled myself. Looks cool, eh?2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
My brother expressing his anguish at the continuous destruction of ancient forests here and everywhere.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
Yeah, my brother's creativity amuses me. He also is a staunch environmentalist. So why not utilize what we already have in abundance, eh?2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
He finished up another one. Construction must be slow up in his farm this week. 99+ trees to go! (Tamarindus indica)2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
I've been on the lookout for unusual rocks ever since my brother explained to me how they make the best pots for his trees. I think this one is a limestone he found at one of his construction sites.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
The latest tree to get a haircut. I think my brother did this one a few days ago.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
The biggest trout I caught on a dry fly. #18 Griffith's gnat. September, 2020. Verdun, France.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
A couple of neglected bonsai at my brother's mountain retreat. I finally made it up here. Will take more pictures tomorrow when there's better lighting.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
[Perfect watch for this] Currentlyl stuck on an island after a storm blew in yesterday. No choice but to continue flyfishing...and keep the fish since monitor lizards stole my bag of food. Oh, well. Got coconuts and m&m's handy.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Watches
Huge Hawaiian bonefish. Took me about two months to finally land them consistently. The wee ones were easy. But once they get to around 6 lbs and heavier, they exponentially got more difficult to fool, let alone land. (Snorkeling for hours let me figure out what they were feeding on.)2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
Resting in between tides. No fishing pressure. No pressure. (Mindoro Island, Philippines)3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
There's no reason why your project shouldn't refresh you, right? This tree is called calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa). It's like a lime and a lemon got busy one evening in Tallahassee after too many dollar-shots... and, voila--- calamansi. It's tartier than both, too.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
Miniature forest. Just to pre-empt queries: my brother created this. Don't know where it's currently at but I know it needs maintenance since lockdowns kept him away from his trees.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
I take the E of EDC seriously. My typical meal in SE Asia these days. For $2, I can't complain. Boker all-steel Magnum 440A.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/knives
I wish I had my cowboy hat on from Missoula when I took this pic ten years ago in Afghanistan. That would have made it cooler. But it was swiped in Kazakhstan on my way there.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Montana
Clearing our way to the neglected trees. Thorny bushes, fire ants, cobras... they've been handled.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
[Watch ID] Please help me ID this watch I was wearing in the pic. FB just reminded me it's been 8 years since I took this pic on board this old Huey on its last successful flight. Missed the FINAL flight by minutes. It crashed an hour after I took this pic...2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Watches
So there I was flyfishing--- in MOGADISHU. I kept a tighter watch on my back cast more than usual. There were worse things than bushes that could surprise you from behind over there. This was our shore lunch. Grilled, tomatoes and rice on the side. It was delicious! Flyfishing has kept me sane.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
Due to COVID travel restrictions, my brother couldn't make it up to his mountain bonsai getaway. Consequently, over a year's worth of pruning and wiring was waiting for him when he finally could. But the house also needs his attention. So he only does this whenever he has time.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
So about the background--- my brother literally painted that unfinished wall to help set the mood for this bonsai project. It's a work in progress, he says. Hahaha. Smart ass.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
This was the day my old Lamson LP 3 died. It was not meant for Florida saltwater environment, but it soldiered on regardless. It landed countless redfish, trout, and snook almost on a daily basis. Then on this particularly bountiful day, the clutch gave out. It died fighting a fish.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
I drove up and down narrow Alpine roads, waited out endless cows clogging mountain passes, and endured freezing in my leaky waders...for trout this size in this lake outside of Salzburg, Austria. I'd do it all over again.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
Unnecessarily doing an inventory of my favorite Hardy reels...again. Just wanna make sure I ain't missing one, you know. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Mazel tov!2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
Sometimes you just gotta power through...regardless of how much Austrian beef are in front of you. This stare-down in the Alps lasted for a while since we were not allowed to drive off-road. We were laughing the whole time. Cows.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
Shrimp pattern. A lot harder to tie and looks fancier than my regular Crazy Charlies--- but caught way less bonefish.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flytying
By far, the biggest grayling I ever landed. 62 cm on a #20 Griffith's gnat. Mittersill, Austria.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
Finally received the SW hooks I ordered from this legend. He cuts, bends, files and hones these amazing stainless steel hooks BY HAND. I'm gonna tie a few and send some back to him for a (late) Christmas present.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/SaltwaterFlyfishing
My eyesight and my favorite dry fly pattern are no longer compatible. So I decided to make a little mod on the classic Griffith's gnat. The fish didn't seem to care.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flytying
As a going-away present for me, one of my buddies in Stuttgart (Porsche 911 driver) gave me an Italian hood ornament. I was very, very moved. Scheisser.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/mopar
[GPW] My first post. Prior to today, I felt I didn't have any watch worthy of discussion here. See, I moved to SE Asia to start from scratch a flyfishing business. I considered all the gear I'd need. Except for the watch...(cont'd in comments below)3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Watches
Flash. Color. Movement. Oui? Got it. Let me whip something out real quick. This fly was totally mangled after the third savage hit by a rainbow. Try it, folks. Alsace, France.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flytying
My simple rules of tying: flash, movement, color and size. Doesn't have to closely resemble anything in nature. Works every time.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flytying
[Dilemma] HELP! I have budget for only one of them. The Omega costs 3x as much as the Orient. Reasonably priced for both, I believe. Which one should I get?2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Watches
So I ended up buying these things at a thrift store here in Manila. The Bear looks new and unused. I know nothing about archery; I went into the store to buy flip-flops. But now that I got them, I need help from you kind folks. Firstly, can I adjust the pull on my own? ($90 total, btw). Thanks!2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Archery
How I tie on a simple and effective weed guard on my heavy and weighted streamers. Tip: Tie a bunch of these weed guards on first, let the glue set.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flytying
Fly-tying outdoors. It was so refreshing being able to do this again. I missed it. Manila, Philippines.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flytying
Going to flyfish a stretch of unexplored/unfished river for a few days in SE Asia. Bushwhacking along its bank. I can expect heat, infernal humidity, rain, scorpions, giant spiders, cobras, fire ants, rebel patrols and evil spirits supposedly. Bringing trusted tools with me. I can't wait! Let's go!3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/backpacking
[GPW] After tours in Afghanistan and in the Horn of Africa, I decided to upgrade my GPW by getting a new Italian leather strap. I almost didn't recognize my battle buddy afterwards.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Watches
[Seikos] How much for all three? One-fiddy. Seriously---$150. Original Lord Matic, Arctura, and a Vietnam-era Seiko 6119.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Watches
Flyfishing and cows Rule #2: If there are cows nearby, they will always be in direct line of the back cast you need to get your fly to the rising fish. Mittersill, Austria.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
This cute giant spider popped out as I was reaching in for my 8- weight. Adorable, right?2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
Same fly: dry and wet. I used to actually tie a sample from a batch I'd tied up on to a leader, dunk it in the bath tub, then do a couple of retrieves to see what it looks like under water. I'm not that crazy anymore. Just wet the darn thing.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flytying
Good morning, from the Philippines! I'm thinking of heading to Manila Bay to try these fresh batch on some threadfin salmon. Google them if you're unfamiliar like I was. They jump when hooked!2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flytying
Merry Christmas wherever you are, folks! I know it's been less than ideal, these past couple of Christmases. But let's focus on the positive: the fish and the maddening methodology we have chosen to catch them. See you on the water...soon, I hope.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
How big was the fish?? I replied, Bigger than my foot! And surprisingly, I wasn't lying. Malmedy, Belgium.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
#18 midge doing its tricks when trout are very picky. Summer 2020. Malmedy, Belgium.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
Billy Pate Bonefish reel and my prototype Graphene rod are going with me on this first flyfishing adventure of 2022. The quest for the mythical PNG black bass resumes... Manila, Philippines.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/SaltwaterFlyfishing
[Eco-Drive] When I want to quickly check how many seconds (minutes even) behind or ahead a fancier automatic watch I'm wearing for sartorial reasons is, I use this Eco-Drive as a reference. Isn't that nuts?2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Watches
[Montblanc Update] I've narrowed down my choices between these two models. Same price point basically (USD 2K-ish). Which one would you go for? And is it a good deal for the price?2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Watches
Fishing has been limited due to regional lockdowns here. Might as well tie and sketch instead of whining about it, eh? Manila, Philippines.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
[SOTC my version] I figured I'd put my own spin on this SOTC thing. Although I must add some of these watches are gone now: destroyed in the field or given away to others who needed them on the spot.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Watches
Finally received the SW hooks I ordered from this legend. He cuts, bends, files and hones these amazing stainless steel hooks BY HAND. I'm gonna tie a few and send some back to him for a (late) Christmas present.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
My brother does other quirky things besides bonsai. This was inspired by the huts used by the indigenous Badjao people from southern Philippines. He created three of these; one was commissioned by an art collector, one is in my bathroom, and we misplaced the 3rd one. No idea where it's at. Haha.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/Bonsai
Very modern titanium Schukken #8 and a 40+ year old classic Billy Pate Bonefish reel (by Ted Juracsik). Prepping for a fishing trip tomorrow.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/SaltwaterFlyfishing
Looking to create a bamboo partner for my Bougle. I don't know how I will do it since I don't have the tools here in the Philippines but, damn it, Jim--- let's try it.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
Flyfishing is my salvation. (Wore all that during that July 4th fun run--- because I was told my flyfishing vest was not regulation enough). Enjoy your Independence Day, folks.3yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/flyfishing
Why is there no ceviche category here? Just asking. Went to the wet market this morning for some fresh Boxing Day fish. Found wahoo and bonito--- turned them into spicy ceviche lunch. It was fantastic.2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/sushi
How do you folks feel about Bul knives? Particularly this one. I'm asking because the dealer nearby is selling it at 50% discount (lack of customers lately). I've never heard of them, let alone bought one before. But it handles really well and looks capable. Thanks!2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/knives
Sidewalk deconstructivism as a movement is alive and well in Manila. There's a flat surface, it's paved, it has the correct paint scheme, it's wide enough, it keeps pedestrians off the road. What's the problem?2yr ⋅ Matuka15 ⋅ r/sidewalkWTF
