Ep 49 with Dan & Josh delivers classic Spotburn chaos—winter trout talk, fake tiger muskies, accidental spot burning, musky fly fishing content debates, tournament strategy, serious Driftless water contamination issues, fly rod industry news, fly tying innovation, and an absolutely unhinged Fly Roast. Equal parts education, opinion, and nonsense—just how we like it.

If you like your fishing podcasts equal parts education, controversy, and absolute nonsense—this one delivers.

🧠 Topics Covered

• Winter trout fishing in the Driftless, cold-weather tactics, and layering struggles
• Fake “tiger muskies,” spot burning, and why the internet keeps getting both wrong
• The rise of musky fly fishing content and its unintended consequences
• Squala gear favorites and functional cold-weather apparel
• Treelands tournament timing, strategy, and format ideas
• How we actually break down and fish new river systems
• Driftless groundwater contamination and why it’s bigger than fishing

▶️ Wisconsin Conservation – Groundwater Contamination / Vino in the Valley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctKKfqbIAlE

• Industry news: Shawn Combs (Helios designer) joins Scott Fly Rods
  📖 https://flylordsmag.com/shawn-combs-joins-scott-fly-rod-company/
  
  
• Fly tying innovation, tools, and Bill Sherer’s new learning app
  📱 https://bill-sherers-we-tie-it-fly-shop.myshopify.com/collections/learning-fly-tying-app/products/we-tie-it-fly-fishing-app-1
  
  
• Fly Roast chaos: Miss Ugly returns, Mantis appears, lines are crossed
• Quick tip: organizing bucktails by function, not color

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.

In Episode 48 of the Spot Burn Podcast, Dan & Josh break down the wild Bloomberg article about Simms, private equity, and retailers pushing back — then pivot into the most unhinged musky news story of the year: the Fort Kent Muskie Derby (a catch-and-k*ll tournament), and why it’s a brutal look for Maine fisheries.

You’ll also get a fishing update, a Cave Run year-in-review recap, and the return of Fly Roast, featuring some absolute masterpieces (and crimes) from listeners. We close it out with shop updates, tying nights, and a quick tip on split ring sizes for predator flies.

Drop a comment: Are we overreacting about Simms… or is private equity actually wrecking fly fishing?


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🔥 Links / Articles Mentioned

Private Equity / Simms Articles

Bloomberg: Private Equity Is Ruining a Beloved Fly-Fishing Brand, Retailers Say
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-12-18/fly-fishing-brand-simms-faces-retail-boycott-after-private-equity-takeover?embedded-checkout=true

MidCurrent: Private Equity Is Ruining a Beloved Fly-Fishing Brand, Retailers Say
https://midcurrent.com/2025/12/19/private-equity-is-ruining-a-beloved-fly-fishing-brand-retailers-say/

Muskies / Viral News

Giant 1,000-foot musky outline story:
https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2025/12/19/iron-river-man-creates-1000-foot-musky-frozen-lake/

Fort Kent Muskie Derby (the muskie killing derby in Maine):
http://www.fortkent-muskie.com/

FishHawk: Musky Slaughter in Maine
https://www.fish-hawk.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17816

If you’d like to send a respectful, professional letter to the people with the most influence over the Fort Kent Muskie (K*lling) Derby, here are three options:

MDIFW (info.ifw@maine.gov
) — request review + permit conditions / deny harvest derby

Town Manager Suzie Paradis (SParadis@fortkent.org
) — request town stop co-hosting unless release-only

Derby Committee (via fortkent-muskie.com contact) — request immediate change to release-only + publish new rules

Fly Rod Content

The Yellow Dog 5-Weight Fly Rod Invitational (Referenced again)
https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/blogs/back-stage-pass/the-yellow-dog-5-weight-fly-rod-invitational?srsltid=AfmBOopvyoVa2vzVyeFDvEaBL1w6yB8h45jZ38G31eNCirfbs4NivpDT

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.

In Episode 47, Josh and Dan dive deep into everything fly fishing — from epic musky stories and the Yellow Dog 5wt Fly Rod Shootout to Kelly Galloup’s Simms vs. Skwala bombshell and Minnesota’s 20-year musky plan.

It’s unfiltered, hilarious, and 100% musky-fueled.

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⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Music for Muskies
04:45 – Josh’s 50-Inch Musky Story
09:40 – The Yellow Dog 5wt Fly Rod Shootout Breakdown
13:20 – Reddington Classic Trout Shocks the Industry
23:00 – Simms vs. Skwala: Kelly Galloup’s Mic Drop
31:00 – Are We Breeding Smarter Fish?
39:50 – Minnesota’s Long-Range Musky Plan
48:00 – Quick Tip: Hooks, Split Rings & Single Hook Rigging
59:00 – Fly Roast: Wall of Fame or Wall of Shame?
1:24:00 – Closing Thoughts & Listener Shoutouts

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🔗 Mentioned in This Episode:

🎯 Yellow Dog 5wt Fly Rod Shootout
Website Link:
https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/blogs/back-stage-pass/the-yellow-dog-5-weight-fly-rod-invitational?srsltid=AfmBOoqN2Hhsqa9Dq4Db_Zdym6JguYLu8Qb5uDCpaBgJetSp_PdS2Y_5

Watch the Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVbnQC2pWHs


🐟 Minnesota DNR Long-Range Musky Management Plan:
https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/fish/mue/mue-lrp-draft.pdf?v=2025.07.28-14.56.37

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.