Sea monsters. Political gridlock. Forgotten history. Legendary fish.

In this electrifying episode of the Spot Burn Podcast, we dive deep—like, sea lamprey-deep—into the battle for the soul of the Great Lakes. We sit down with Dr. Marc Gaden of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and filmmaker Lindsey Haskin, director of the jaw-dropping documentary The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery. Together, they uncover a story that’s part horror flick, part underdog saga, and part geopolitical thriller. From bloodsucking invasive species to the billion-dollar fight to defend one of the world's most valuable freshwater ecosystems, this episode tackles the science, the politics, the heartbreak, and the hope behind one of the greatest fishery restoration stories ever told. Bonus: there's a cameo by J.K. Simmons and a musky-related language lesson you won’t want to miss.

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Timestamps / Chapters
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Meet the Guests: Dr. Marc Gaden & Lindsey Haskin
03:00 - What is The Fish Thief about?
06:30 - Why the Great Lakes matter
10:30 - How the film came to life
18:30 - Working with J.K. Simmons & telling a complex story
24:00 - The Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s bold move
29:00 - The dam removal debate & sea lamprey risk
34:00 - Why the lake trout became ground zero
40:00 - Apex predators & ecosystem change
46:00 - Why protecting the fish matters culturally
51:00 - COVID’s impact on lamprey control
55:00 - Budget cuts and the threat of backsliding
1:01:00 - Hope through bipartisan cooperation
1:05:00 - Documentary production during COVID
1:10:00 - U.S.–Canada relations & the Fish Pass project
1:17:00 - What’s next for Marc & Lindsey
1:19:30 - Final thoughts: Hope vs. what keeps them up at night
1:25:00 - Wrap-up & how to watch the film

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🎥 Support & Watch, "The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery"

Official Website
https://www.thefishthief.com/

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3zJyKfi4hU

Apple TV
https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-fish-thief-a-great-lakes-mystery/umc.cmc.6ocx7sdn81clwp78517ijcvn5

Amazon Prime Video
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR9FLJK7

Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/The_Fish_Thief_A_Great_Lakes_Mystery?id=dVuKToHN2Oc.P&hl=en_US&pli=1

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🌊 Learn more:

Dr. Marc Gaden
https://seas.umich.edu/research/faculty/marc-e-gaden

Lindsey Haskin
https://skyhoundmedia.com/

FishPass Project
https://www.glfc.org/fishpass.php

Lamprey & COVID Study
https://www.glfc.org/pubs/pressrel/2025_SeaLampreyControl_Pandemic_Reduction.pdf

Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in, subscribing, sharing, and spreading the good word.

Follow us on Instagram @muskyfool and check out our YouTube channel.

And be sure to check out MuskyFool.com !

Have fun out there on the water ya'll!

- Dan & Josh

MuskyFool.com
Instagram: @muskyfool
YouTube: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
Facebook: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.

Buckle up, fly freaks. Episode 43 is our wildest Mega Fly Roast yet—featuring the most unhinged, hilarious, and questionably fishable flies we’ve seen. There’s beard hair. There’s a fly coffin. There’s glow-in-the-dark resin. And yes… there are midnight org*sms.

Before we even spark the first roast, we’ve got to give a massive nod to a surprise podcasting moment: a shoutout from none other than Kelly Galloup. Yep, the man himself has been tuning in to the madness—and somehow thinks we might actually know what we’re doing. MFC, Cortland… let’s make it happen. Bring Kelly back to Wisconsin so we can roast some flies together in person! Just kidding... but seriously... we're being serious... this is our serious face. 🤪

🎣 Fly Roast Timestamps:

00:09:01 – Dan & Josh’s Midnight Orgasm (Glows in the dark. Named like a punk band. Unforgettable.)

00:20:45 – Electric Gill (Bluegill energy meets three-beer tying session. And we’re here for it.)

00:34:58 – The Voices (Monstrosity with a coffin box and our faces as fly eyes. Peak fly roast and absolutely the craziest over the top submission thus far.)

00:43:42 – Buford Roast (Solid musky platform + hand-dyed bucktail = legit potential.)

00:54:08 – Meat Bozo (A little creepy, very touching back story, super rad.)

01:15:20 – Scruffy Olive (Scottish-style soft hackle fly sneaks into the mix. Not just musky madness.)

🏆 Hall of Fame and Wall of Shame votes fly freely. We’re giving flowers to great ties—and setting fire to crimes against bucktail. Bonus points for ridiculous names and unhinged packaging.

🎁 Want your fly roasted in the next round? Submit it. Weird wins.
Head over to MuskyFool.com

💬 Comment with your vote: Hall of Fame or straight into the Shame Bag?

Brought to you by the fine folks at Musky Fool and our QuickTrip garbage bag of glory.

Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in, subscribing, sharing, and spreading the good word.

Follow us on Instagram @muskyfool and check out our YouTube channel.

And be sure to check out MuskyFool.com !

Have fun out there on the water ya'll!

- Dan & Josh

MuskyFool.com
Instagram: @muskyfool
YouTube: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
Facebook: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.

Welcome back to The Spot Burn Podcast, hosts Dan and Josh sit down with fisheries specialist and musky research guru Kamden Glade for Part 2 for a deep dive into the fascinating world of muskellunge management. Kamden shares his groundbreaking research into musky diets in Minnesota lakes—research that not only went viral but fundamentally shifted public perception and fisheries management practices.

Tune in as Kamden discusses how his study has helped shape Minnesota's upcoming 15-year musky management plan, balancing angler expectations with scientific evidence. Explore hot-button issues like invasive species impacts, forward-facing sonar controversies, catch-and-release ethics, and the broader challenges facing fisheries in the Upper Midwest.

With humor, humility, and expert insights, Kamden reveals what goes into managing and preserving musky fisheries, the importance of angler cooperation, and why understanding local ecosystems is critical for sustainable fishing.

Whether you're a hardcore musky fanatic, a fisheries science buff, or simply passionate about conserving the waters we all cherish, this episode has something for you. Light up your passion for fishing and conservation, and dive into an episode filled with science-backed insights, thoughtful discussions, and some fiery opinions.

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📚 LINKS & RESOURCES

📝 Kamden Glade’s Research

Diet Patterns of Muskellunge and Co-occuring Piscivores:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/nafm.10880?domain=author&token=H9TTC339MZUEX3MXIFIK

Muskie Diet Secrets Revealed! - Webinar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mrFmD2Qkt4

Effects of Gastric Lavage on Muskellunge Survival:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389042102_Effects_of_Gastric_Lavage_on_Muskellunge_Survival

Explore More of Kamden's Research:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kamden-Glade

Follow Kamden's Research on Instagram:
@kamdenglade

---

👀 CHECK US OUT
Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
Your source for everything fly fishing for apex predators.https://muskyfool.com/

🔥 If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fish-obsessed friends. Let’s keep it burning!

Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in, subscribing, sharing, and spreading the good word.

Follow us on Instagram @muskyfool and check out our YouTube channel.

And be sure to check out MuskyFool.com !

Have fun out there on the water ya'll!

- Dan & Josh

MuskyFool.com
Instagram: @muskyfool
YouTube: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
Facebook: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.

Everyone has an opinion on what muskies eat. Kamden Glade has data.

In this episode of Spot Burn, we sit down with Minnesota DNR fisheries specialist Kamden Glade to unpack one of the most talked-about studies in predator management today: a multi-year deep dive into the actual diets of over 600 muskies across Minnesota.

What did they find? Fewer walleyes. Major surprises. And some serious myth-busting.

We dig into how the research was done (yes, it involves fish puke), what the data really says about predator interactions, and why the results are challenging long-held beliefs across the angling world. From big fish stories to stomach contents to public backlash, this conversation has it all.If you care about muskies, management, or the future of predator fishing — this one’s essential.

This episode is a reminder of the importance of solid data, respectful discourse, and the work being done behind the scenes to protect our fisheries for future generations.

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🎧 LISTEN + GET FIRED UP.

📌 CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Meet Kamden Glade & Early Angling Influences
05:00 - The Walleye-Muskie Controversy in MN
08:00 - Starting the Muskie Diet Study
13:00 - Study Design: What Are Muskies (and Others) Eating?
16:00 - Electric Fishing & Stomach Pumping Explained
20:00 - Challenges of Data Collection & Empty Stomachs
24:00 - Seasonal Diet Patterns: Surprising Trends
27:00 - Perch Dominate, But Muskies Eat It All
29:00 - Do Muskies Eat Walleye? (Spoiler: Barely)
32:00 - Predator-Prey Myths and Muskie Legends
35:00 - Wildest Stomach Finds: Chicken Bones & Lens Caps
41:00 - Do Muskies Prefer Anything?
44:00 - Pike & Bass: The Real Biomass Monsters
47:00 - Tagging and Recapture Data
52:00 - Cisco Lakes vs. Panfish Lakes
58:00 - What About Ciscos in Muskie Diets?
1:00:00 - Isotope Research for Open Water Patterns
1:02:00 - Wrapping It All Up

📚 LINKS & RESOURCES

📝 Kamden Glade’s Research

Diet Patterns of Muskellunge and Co-occuring Piscivores:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/nafm.10880?domain=author&token=H9TTC339MZUEX3MXIFIK

Muskie Diet Secrets Revealed! - Webinar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mrFmD2Qkt4

Effects of Gastric Lavage on Muskellunge Survival:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389042102_Effects_of_Gastric_Lavage_on_Muskellunge_Survival

Explore More of Kamden's Research:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kamden-Glade

Follow Kamden's Research on Instagram:
@kamdenglade

---

👀 CHECK US OUT
Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
Your source for everything fly fishing for apex predators.https://muskyfool.com/

🔥 If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fish-obsessed friends. Let’s keep it burning!

Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in, subscribing, sharing, and spreading the good word.

Follow us on Instagram @muskyfool and check out our YouTube channel.

And be sure to check out MuskyFool.com !

Have fun out there on the water ya'll!

- Dan & Josh

MuskyFool.com
Instagram: @muskyfool
YouTube: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
Facebook: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.

Welcome back to the Spot Burn Podcast, brought to you by Musky Fool! In Part 2 of this episode, hosts Dan and Josh continue their in‐depth discussion with fisheries ecologist Paul Cunningham as they explore how evolving management practices and new scientific insights are reshaping the way Wisconsin protects its native brook trout. This conversation delves into the challenges and innovative strategies behind habitat restoration, watershed partnerships, and long‑term conservation planning in the face of climate change.

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In This Episode:

Changing Approaches in Trout Habitat Management:
Old practices—like narrowing streams and trout stamp projects—favored brown trout. Now, efforts focus on maintaining natural stream structure with longer pools, gentler runs, and forested riparian zones.

The Impact of Habitat Modification:
Historical projects in the Driftless Area shifted competition against native brook trout, prompting a rethink to foster brook trout resilience.

The Brook Trout Reserve Program – Origins & Goals:
Paul outlines how USGS climate models and catch data filtered 1800 sub‑watersheds down to 54 priority reserves representing the most resilient brook trout habitats.

Data-Driven Selection & Future Projections:
Advanced modeling and field data identify the top 20% of brook trout habitats that can sustain populations despite climate challenges.

Adaptation Strategies & Collaborative Efforts:
Key tools include riparian reforestation, improved fish passage at road crossings, and best practices in agriculture and forestry—built on partnerships with conservation organizations and local agencies.

Institutional & Community Involvement:
Long‑term success depends on strong institutional frameworks and the active engagement of informed anglers as resource stewards.

Stream Bank Protection Program Revisited:
A look back at the late 1980s program that secured perpetual riparian easements, laying the groundwork for today’s conservation efforts.

Future Outlook & Measuring Success:
The episode concludes with goals for persistent, naturally reproducing brook trout, healthier watersheds, and the positive impact of collaborative conservation partnerships.

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Relevant Links:
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/

Wisconsin Brook Trout Reserves:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/BrookTroutReserves

Brook Trout Reserves Story Map: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1d5dc22ef07e4da7bbd92718206faf23

Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts:
https://wicci.wisc.edu/

For more information on Brook Trout Reserves in Wisconsin, contact Paul Cunningham at Paul.Cunningham@wisconsin.gov or Bradd Sims at Bradd.Sims@wisconsin.gov or send a message to DNRFHBrookTroutReserves@wisconsin.gov

--

Stay Connected:

👕 Need some fresh gear? We got you covered, check us out at
MuskyFool.com

🔔 Subscribe & Hit the Bell so you never miss an episode!

Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in, subscribing, sharing, and spreading the good word.

Follow us on Instagram @muskyfool and check out our YouTube channel.

And be sure to check out MuskyFool.com !

Have fun out there on the water ya'll!

- Dan & Josh

MuskyFool.com
Instagram: @muskyfool
YouTube: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
Facebook: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.

Welcome to another episode of the Spot Burn Podcast, brought to you by Musky Fool! In this episode, hosts Dan and Josh sit down with fisheries ecologist Paul Cunningham from the Wisconsin DNR to discuss the Brook Trout Reserves Program and the future of Wisconsin’s native brook trout. Join us for an in-depth conversation on climate change, habitat conservation, and the challenges of managing one of the state’s most iconic cold-water species. Make sure to tune in for part 2!

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In This Episode:

Meet Paul Cunningham:
Learn about Paul’s journey from rural southern Wisconsin to becoming a key figure in fisheries management since 1992.

Brook Trout Reserves Program:
Discover how the program aims to protect native brook trout from the impacts of warming stream temperatures and climate change.

Climate Change & Habitat Loss:
Paul explains the science behind rising CO2 levels, stream temperature increases, and the projection that up to two-thirds of brook trout habitat may be lost by mid-century.

Fisheries Management & Master Planning:
Insight into how long-term master planning and public access initiatives are shaping the future of Wisconsin’s aquatic resources.

Genetics & Hatchery Influence:
A candid discussion on how hatchery introgression has affected the genetic diversity of brook trout and what it means for conservation.

Angler Perspectives:
Hear about the interplay between brown and brook trout, and how the shifting dynamics affect recreational fishing in Wisconsin.

Big Fish Talk:
The hosts and Paul touch on record-sized brook trout and the ongoing efforts to map and preserve quality trout streams.

--

Relevant Links:
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/

Wisconsin Brook Trout Reserves:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/BrookTroutReserves

Brook Trout Reserves Story Map: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1d5dc22ef07e4da7bbd92718206faf23

Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts:
https://wicci.wisc.edu/

For more information on Brook Trout Reserves in Wisconsin, contact Paul Cunningham at Paul.Cunningham@wisconsin.gov or Bradd Sims at Bradd.Sims@wisconsin.gov or send a message to DNRFHBrookTroutReserves@wisconsin.gov

--

Stay Connected:

👕 Need some fresh gear? We got you covered, check us out at
MuskyFool.com

🔔 Subscribe & Hit the Bell so you never miss an episode!

Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in, subscribing, sharing, and spreading the good word.

Follow us on Instagram @muskyfool and check out our YouTube channel.

And be sure to check out MuskyFool.com !

Have fun out there on the water ya'll!

- Dan & Josh

MuskyFool.com
Instagram: @muskyfool
YouTube: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
Facebook: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.

Welcome back to The Spotburn Podcast, and this time, we’re turning up the heat! Episode 38 is The Mega Fly Roast, where we bring the spiciest critiques yet. You asked for it, and we delivered—no holding back this time.

To help us crank up the honesty, we’ve got our good buddy Gabe Parkin in the studio. He told us we were being too nice on previous fly roasts, so we made it our mission to go all-in. Flies will be roasted. Egos will be tested. And yes, we even made The Wall of Fame and Wall of Shame official.

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🔥 In this episode:

Why we decided to raise the stakes on the Fly Roast
Introducing the new Wall of Fame rules—unanimous votes only!
A lineup of five wild and unique fly submissions from listeners
From innovation to disaster—breaking down the craftsmanship, materials, and fishability of each pattern
100-inch muskies?? Debunking the wildest musky myth we've heard
Gabe’s quick tip that will change the way you trim your Buford heads forever
A surprise Quick Trip food hack you didn’t know you needed

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🔥 Did any flies make the Wall of Fame? Which ones crashed and burned? Watch to find out!

📩 Got a fly you want roasted? Get all the details and find out how at
https://muskyfool.com/pages/the-fly-roast

👕 Need some fresh gear? We got you covered, check us out at
MuskyFool.com

🔔 Subscribe & Hit the Bell so you never miss an episode!

Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in, subscribing, sharing, and spreading the good word.

Follow us on Instagram @muskyfool and check out our YouTube channel.

And be sure to check out MuskyFool.com !

Have fun out there on the water ya'll!

- Dan & Josh

MuskyFool.com
Instagram: @muskyfool
YouTube: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
Facebook: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.

Josh and Dan are live from Kentucky for the second annual Kentucky River Muskie Classic! In this episode, they break down day one of the tournament, discuss the extreme flooding conditions affecting both the fishing and local communities in Kentucky, and dive into the broader conservation challenges facing fisheries. Plus, they roast a couple of listener-submitted flies in the 3rd fly roast and share some tournament strategies for high-water conditions.

Topics Covered:
🎣 Kentucky River Muskie Classic – Recap of day one, conditions, and top teams so far
🌊 Flooding in Kentucky – Impacts on fisheries and local communities
💰 Funding Cuts & Conservation – What’s happening at state and federal levels
🦌 Fly Roast #3 – Unique fly submissions, including one made with bison fur
💡 Quick Tip – Using land maps instead of fishing maps when waters are flooded

Articles discussed:
➡️ FEMA Article -
President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Kentucky
https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250225/president-donald-j-trump-approves-major-disaster-declaration-kentucky

➡️ Fur Ban in Washington Article -
Fur Ban Bill Narrowly Passes Committee in Washington
https://congressionalsportsmen.org/news/fur-ban-bill-narrowly-passes-committee-in-washington/

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💡 Got a story, or topic you want us to cover? Drop it in the comments and as always check us out at MuskyFool.com

🔥 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for to support and help the Spot Burn podcast grow!

#SpotBurnPodcast #flyfishing #muskyfishing #troutfishing #fishinggear #fishingtips #conservation

Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in, subscribing, sharing, and spreading the good word.

Follow us on Instagram @muskyfool and check out our YouTube channel.

And be sure to check out MuskyFool.com !

Have fun out there on the water ya'll!

- Dan & Josh

MuskyFool.com
Instagram: @muskyfool
YouTube: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
Facebook: Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.