Driftwood Outdoors Podcast

Brandon Butler and Lauren "Big Fish" Plunkett interview Kevin Morlock, owner and operator of Indigo Guide Service. Indigo Guide Service has offered guided fishing trips on West Michigan’s rivers for over twenty years. These rivers include the Pere Marquette River, Manistee, White, and Muskegon, where they target trout, steelhead, and salmon.  They've also guided the flats of Beaver Island in the s...

Brandon Butler interviews Captain Frank Campbell, Niagara Region Charter Service guide. Frank is a full time guide with over 25 years of guiding experience on Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the Niagara River.  He has been featured on numerous television shows including In-Fisherman, Keith Warren Outdoors, O’Neil’s Outside, Bob Redfern Outdoors, Mid-West Outdoors, and Angling the Great Lakes along wi...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod interview Jason Smith, Spoonbill World Record Holder and owner of Smiths Fishing Adventures. Jason has dedicated most of his time to learning and testing several techniques with fishing for Spoonbill on Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Lake using the most up-to-date electronics.  "Going beyond the old school ways of fishing has brought more fish into my boat t...

Brandon Butler interviews several special guests during the 2024 Conservation Day at the Capitol. Conservation Day was created by Brandon Butler, Nathan "Shags" McLeod, Trevor Morgan, and David Calandro.  It is an annual event held at the Missouri Capitol, promoting and supporting our natural resources and outdoor heritage.  Citizens and legislators learn about the diverse outdoor passions of Miss...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod interview Gavin West, Marine Veteran, successful entrepreneur, Naval Academy graduate, Johns Hopkins graduate, and board member of Retrieving Freedom. Topics Discussed: Time in the service, Beaver Island, upper peninsula Michigan, smallmouth bass, carp, sight fishing redfish in the south, favorite fishing spots in Texas and Louisiana, Retrieving Freedom, Gr...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod interview several MONASP attendees at the annual national tournament in Branson, Missouri. Archery is a sport for everyone! With Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP), students in grades 4-12 learn the skill of target archery beginning at the local level with the goal of qualifying for the state, national, and possibly, the world tournam...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod interview Taneycomo Fishing Legend, Duane Doty while fishing in the snow. "As a guide, my intent is more than just taking a person fishing for a day. I would rather educate clients about the water being fished, and the species pursued, and, then, by easing the learning curve, make it possible for them to return, without a guide, for a productive fishing tri...

Brandon Butler interviews Vietnam Veteran Ivan and his wife Mary Jo about the difference Retrieving Freedom Inc. has made in their lives. Retrieving Freedom, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization passionately committed to enhancing the lives of Veterans and children with autism through a specialized Service Dog training program.  They breed and train chosen dogs that exhibit specific traits ne...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod interview Roger Franklin, owner of Big Rock Candy Mountain. Big Rock Candy Mountain Retreat is your vacation destination! Just a mile and a half from the beautiful spring-fed Current River and the Ozark Scenic Riverways, it's home to the best fly fishing, floating and family fun in the state! BRCM is 18 acres of beautiful forest teaming with wildlife, fanta...

Brandon Butler, Nathan “Shags” McLeod, Savannah "Forever Fiance" Light, and Lauren Plunkett interview Blake Harris while fishing for keepers on Lake Taneycomo. Blake Harris, Captain at Excel Fishing Charters, is a well-versed angler who has years of fishing experience behind him. He loves taking people out to fish and giving them a great time on the waters. Topics Discussed: Blake's fancy new boat...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod interview Tommy Bench, a returning podcast friend and Gasconade River Fishing Guide, as they spend an hour on the water chasing river monsters. Topics Discussed: Qualifications of a monster, baits he uses, Little Piney Tributary, guide service packages and cabins, Live Scope integration, targeting smallmouth, perks of being a guide, the love and regulations...

Nathan “Shags” McLeod sits down with Eric Baker, Dave Downes, and Tim Flanner to recap the float trip and the incident that will never be forgotten. Splish splash. Eric's taking a bath in the river we no longer speak of. Topics Discussed: Having a famous son, professional wrestling, Down Syndrome, deer and turkey hunting, bobcat mounts, mystery bait bucket and more. For More Information: Baker Ban...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod interview Charles Bruce, local renaissance man whose fitness journey took him to a mountain top in Nepal. Topics Discussed: Starting his fitness journey, hiking Pikes Peak with his son, planning stages of his trip to Nepal, travel, language barriers, permits, and regulations abroad, using the most dangerous airport in the world, the brutal and beautiful Mou...

Brandon Butler interviews Kevin Orthman at the Shot Show in Las Vegas, NV. The SHOT Show is the once-a-year gathering place for the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry—manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, publishers and non-profit organizations. It’s where a passion for firearms, ammunition and outdoor equipment, plus the industry’s unified support for the Second Amendment, are on display. Th...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod interview Al Agnew, famous naturalist painter known for his work capturing wildlife and scenery in realistic detail, and who has also never eaten a brown trout. To view an Al Agnew painting is to be given the gift of a moment suspended in time. Whether on safari in Africa or roaming his native Ozarks, Agnew focuses all his attention on his subjects with the...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod interview Ryan Cokerham, Director of Merchandising with Midway USA. Ryan is an NRA Benefactor Member, avid hunter, angler, and an accomplished competitive shooter with multiple F-Class State Championship wins. When he’s not in the office, he can often be found on the lake, competing in, or helping run competitive long-range shooting matches. Topics Discusse...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod interview Noah Brocato, Outdoor Education Center Specialist for Missouri Department of Conservation. Noah Brocato is a Missouri State University Wildlife Conservation graduate from Pacific, Missouri. His story is a wonderful example of the full circle of finding purpose in conservation, community, and life. From teaching to college sports, and back around t...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod interview Trey Dawson, Founder and Owner of BackyardK9 and Recovery Outdoors. Trey Dawson opens up about his personal journey through addiction and recovery. His hopes are to break down stigma and encourage conversations that can lead to support, healing, and ultimately, breaking the chains of addiction. Through the power of the outdoors, transparency, fait...

Brandon Butler, Nathan “Shags” McLeod, and now Semi-Paid Pro Staffer Adam Voight take us on a month-to-month recap of 2023, sharing some of the good, some of the bad, and ALL of the outdoors. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your friends at Driftwood Outdoors! Topics Discussed: The highlights from things that each of us have done this year, experiences that taught us something, the people w...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod celebrate Christmas with Eric Call, founder of Mid Mo Youth Outdoors and owner of Superior Spray Foam, LLC, while doing Meat Eater Trivia and exchanging gifts. Mid Mo Youth Outdoors was created to bring kids ages 9 to 16 years of age together and to provide them with the knowledge and understanding of outdoor gaming and survival skills. Topics Discussed: Ho...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod are invited to the very popular Bakers Bantering Podcast after a chance encounter on the river we no longer speak of. Bakers Bantering is a podcast featuring the TikTok stars from Baker Banter. Siblings Jenna, Derek, and Katy Baker, are often joined by Baker Banter Mom and Dad (Valerie and Eric). The Baker family centers around Derek, who has Down syndrome....

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod interview Phil Yeomans and Brad Cape. Two Missouri hunters find themselves battling a court case for our public land rights, after a backcountry hunt in Wyoming where they upset the rich landowners doing something perfectly legal: Corner crossing. Corner crossing involves stepping from one piece of public land to another at the common corner with two pieces...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod recap Missouri deer season with Josh Lane and Jeff Blumer. Topics Discussed: Opening weekend of Missouri deer season, the recap of each hunt, wins, losses, everything in between, generational differences in the process, antelope hunting in Wyoming, mystery bait bucket, and more. Connect with Driftwoo d Outdoors: Facebook Instagram Special thanks to: Living...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod celebrate Thanksgiving week with Chef Philippe Parola. Our incredible planet is filled with countless species of flora and fauna, each who live in their perfectly designed ecosystems. These native species are being threatened by non-native invaders who slowly push them out of their habitats. Something must be done to stop them and preserve our wildlife habi...

Nathan “Shags” McLeod and Adam Voight interview Captain Tommy Bench, Owner and Operator of Gasconade River Guide Service, while fishing the Gasconade River. Captain Bench has built a reputation as one of the most skilled guides in the Missouri area, with a vast knowledge of the Gasconade River and its surrounding areas. His passion for fishing and deep understanding of the river's ecosystem make h...