Driftwood Outdoors Podcast

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with John Bledsoe creator and owner of the Co-Angler App.  Co-Angler connects anglers for fishing trips, while also allowing them to share costs, making fishing more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable. From creating a personalized profile to exploring a customized home feed, Co-Angler lets you tailor your fishing experience to your preferences....

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Minnesota DNR's fish biologist, Scott Mackenthun. In this episode, we explore the state of Minnesota’s legendary waters, from the 10,000 lakes to the vast Boundary Waters and beyond. We dive into conservation efforts, the health of the fish populations, and what the future holds for Minnesota's iconic lakes and rivers. But it’s not all science...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod record from the Branson convention center during the MoNASP State Championship. Every March, the MoNASP State Championship brings together talented youth archers from across the state to compete in a celebration of skill, sportsmanship and teamwork. The MoNASP State Championship has seen tremendous growth and is the second largest state archery tournament i...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Kyle Spradley owner and operator of Kyle Spradley Photography.  Kyle Spradley is a landscape and nature photographer who also specializes in sports, photojournalism and video production. He is a St. Louis, Missouri based photographer available for commercial and editorial services, wedding photography and portraits, and is an FAA-certified Dro...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with lifelong friend, outdoorsman, and firefighter Eric Hoskins for a wide-ranging conversation that covers a bit of everything in the world of hunting, fishing, and conservation. Eric shares his unique perspective on hunting in Missouri while hailing from Indiana, touching on the challenges of navigating different landscapes and regulations. The g...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with freshwater fishing hall of fame and fly fishing guru Mark Van Patton at Big Rock Candy Mountain to discuss the Missouri Trout Opener. Every year thousands of die-hard anglers line the banks at one of Missouri’s trout parks for the opening day of catch-and-keep trout season. In years past, anglers have faced frigid winter temperatures, snow, sl...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Teeg Stouffer Founder & Executive Producer at Fascination Film Studio. A Fascination Film is a beautiful documentary that doesn't require you to be a world class storyteller to end up with a magnificent movie. We are storytellers who will work with you to listen and learn to your story, help craft it, and then tell it through interviews, n...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Bryan Poynter the host of Indiana Outdoors radio show. Bryan Poynter is the host of the Saturday morning Indiana Outdoors Show on 1070 The Fan and Network Indiana from 5-6am. He brings to that show more than 20 years of hunting, fishing, and exploring the four corners of the state. Bryan is an avid deer and duck hunter. He also spends a lot ti...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Joe Moore founder of Siltworm a division of Erosion and Construction Solutions, Inc.  At Siltworm, their mission is to mitigate erosion and control sediment while maintaining an environmentally friendly job-site. Honor God. Provide Unlimited Opportunity. Impact the World. We achieve these by providing high value erosion and sediment control. F...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Pat Kalmerton co-owner and operator of Wolf Pack Adventures LLC, Pat guides clients from around the globe on Lake Michigan, its tributaries and inland waters.  Pat grew up in Sheboygan County, Wis., learning to hunt and fish under the instruction of his father, Roy. By age 12, Pat was first-mating on charter boats; by 20, he'd earned his USCG...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with John Kruse, host and Producer of America Outdoors Radio and Northwestern Outdoors Radio. A native of Pacific Northwest, John Kruse is an experienced outdoors writer and radio broadcaster who has had the opportunity to fish, hunt, hike, camp, and paddle his way across a good portion of North America. John has written magazine articles for a num...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with Tron Peterson of Peterson Outdoors Ministries. Peterson Outdoors Ministries' (POM) mission is to provide faith based outdoor recreational therapy for injured and recovering Veterans, and their families, as well as youth and adults with disabilities or terminal illness. It was founded in 2006 to provide hope, healing, and restoration for vetera...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with MHHF's Executive Director, Colton Zirkle. The Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation introduces youth to an outdoor way of life featuring our hunting tradition, the shooting sports and the enjoyment of being in Missouri's natural landscape. Through education and hands-on training, youth learn how to safely handle firearms, gain an understanding...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with good friend and unpaid pro-staffer Paddle Don Cranfill to work out the kinks and talk everything outdoors. Topics Discussed:  We're on the youtube, life stats, deer hunt encounters, fishing hours, river miles, Big Rock Candy Mtn, Trout opener, Indiana DNR, favorite jobs, mystery bait bucket and more.  For more info:  Driftwood Outdoors Youtube...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down to recap 2024 and share thoughts on the year to come. Topics Discussed:   New Year's resolutions, fly fishing for trout and the river we no longer speak of, Big Rock Candy Mountain, Shags' wedding, college basketball, 50 in 50 by 50, Telepathy Tapes, cryotherapy, upcoming trip to Oregon, favorite Christmas gifts, golfing goals, cigars, bourbon, mys...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Aaron Kindle the Director of Sporting Advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation.  The State of Utah filed suit against the United States– and 13 states supported it– claiming the federal government unconstitutionally holds more than 18.5 million unappropriated acres of public land in the state. At the same time, Utah launched a multipronge...

Merry Christmas!  Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with Kris Nelson of Tandem Fly Outfitters after another crappie trip down Pomme de Terre. Tandem Fly Outfitters operates out of Stockton, Missouri and prioritizes building the relationships with their customers and giving them the best experience they can get. Topics discussed: Christmas gift exchanges, Pomme de Terre AKA: Ground...

Brandon Butler sits down with Tavin Mullen of Steady Pressure Kennels and Jeremy Harper of JD Harper Lawncare to discuss rabbit hunting in Delaware, after Brandon gets his first Delaware rabbit. Steady Pressure Kennels is a beagle breeding service located in Delaware, that focuses on quality over quantity in the rabbit hunting industry. Topics discussed: rabbit hunting in Delaware, types of beagle...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Trey Dawson the owner/operator of Recovery Outdoors and Backyard K9s. Trey is an inspiring example of resilience and redemption. After overcoming a harrowing battle with opioid addiction and serving time in prison, he has committed his life to supporting others facing similar challenges. Using the healing power of the outdoors, Trey guides peo...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with Steve Jones and Uncle Steve to discuss CWD and Missouri hunting 2024. Topics discussed: Recapping Uncle Steve's Missouri whitetail hunt, past hunting successes and failures, Mid Mo Drone deer recovery, CWD (Chronic Waste Disease), a little law and regulation, mystery bait bucket and more. For more info: Mid Mo Drone (573) 469-5714 midmodrone@g...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod interview Bill Atherton and Joe Knight of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries. Each year, hundreds of children enter foster care in mid-Missouri. This means hundreds of children in our neighborhoods are in unsafe homes.  Coyote Hill’s mission is to provide a safe place to be a child for every child impacted by foster care. For over 30 years, Coyote Hill Fost...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod interview Clay Henderson, founder of Hooked on Vets, and Mario Lozina, owner of LOZ Lures. Hooked on vets mission is to facilitate family oriented fishing and outdoor experiences for all veterans and their families. We will share our love of the outdoors and show them how to better experience it. When their mission ends ours begins. Topics discussed: Hooked...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit around a campfire catching up with Paddle Don, Adam Voight, Hollywood Steve, Misty Mountain Michael, and Joe Hawkins.  Topics discussed: Ozark attractions, devils well, peck ranch, the old 40 acres, state farm commercials, new fly shop idea, Mark Van Patten, fishing, mystery bait bucket and more. For more info: Misty Mountain Guiding Service (573) 823-9...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod attend Big Rock Candy Mountain's first Fly Fishing Weekend with Mark Van Patten and Driftwood Outdoors. Recorded during the meet and greet for all attendees. Guests included: Mark Nettles, board member of the Ozark Riverways Foundation Billy Smith, owner of Scenic Rivers Guide Service (573-225-3390) Michael Collins, owner of Misty Mountain Guiding Service M...

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!  Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod do a ghost hunt while touring Missouri State Penitentiary at night with guides Jenny Switzer and Reese Ramold. The "Bloodiest 47 Acres in American History" refers to the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, Missouri, which was given this nickname by Time Magazine due to the extreme violence and brutality that occurred wit...