LIVE FROM KENTUCKY: FLOODS, FISH, AND BISON FLIES - SPOT BURN PODCAST EP. 37

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We’re back with a monster episode of the Spot Burn Podcast—Episode 37 coming to you live(ish) from the heart of Kentucky during the second annual Kentucky River Muskie Classic. Dan and Josh are posted up at Cliffview Lodge, surrounded by nearly 500 miles of musky-rich water, and navigating the madness of high water, flooding, and one hell of a tournament field.

Here’s what’s inside:

🌀 Tournament Recap – Day One:
102 anglers descended on Kentucky for the second year of this grassroots musky fly tourney. Day one brought 13 fish to hand—including a team with five(!)—but spoiler alert: Dan and Josh didn’t sniff a fish. They committed to a contrarian lake strategy, battling 30-foot high water and structure submerged under parking lots and treetops. But there’s still a day left and plenty of optimism.

🌊 Flooded Chaos:
The guys go deep on the recent flooding that has devastated parts of Kentucky. Entire towns were underwater, bridges collapsed, and FEMA has boots on the ground. The crew emphasizes the broader impacts beyond fishing—acknowledging the local communities dealing with real hardship and tying it to the importance of responsible recreation and conservation support.

💸 Conservation & Federal Cuts:
Things get real. They discuss recent federal cuts to natural resource agencies under the new DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) administration. In Kentucky, those cuts mean fewer rangers, biologists, and trail crews—especially in areas like the Daniel Boone National Forest. Locally-run events like this tournament are helping pick up the slack, raising up to $20K to directly support the fisheries.

🌊 Great Lakes + WI DNR Impacts:
The ripple effects are already hitting home. The Great Lakes Fish Commission saw key lamprey control funding cut, threatening long-term fishery health. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers also proposed license fee increases ($20 → $30 resident fishing, $50 → $75 non-resident), aiming to plug budget holes in the DNR. Josh and Dan support it, but argue it’s not enough without broader funding reform.

🐿️ Fly Roast #3 – Kentucky Bison & Pink Squirrel Vibes:
Two new flies get the roast treatment:

• Fly 1: A topwater bass bug tied with real bison fur (yes, from actual fieldwork in Kentucky). This one had the story, the soul, and serious DIY charm. Wall of Fame all day.

• Fly 2: A musky glider dubbed the “Pink Squirrel,” submitted by Charlie from Lake Mills, WI. Solid technique, cool colorway, and unmistakable Nick Gellerstedt influence. It’s got fish mojo, and yeah—Wall of Fame as well.

💥 Industry Hot Topics:

• Runoff Pollution Killing Salmon: NOAA confirms tire runoff is a serious killer of salmonids—coho, Chinook, steelhead. A reminder that federal research matters.

• Washington Fur Ban Threatens Fly Tying: A proposed statewide ban on fur would wipe out natural fly materials like bucktail. Spawn Fly Fish is leading the charge to push back.

• Scheels Expands to Wauwatosa: Big-box outdoor retailer Scheels is building a 200K sq ft store just outside Milwaukee. Dan and Josh reflect on the challenges small fly shops face as the industry consolidates.