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- Driftless Tribe #0022
Driftless Tribe #0022
Weekly Breakdown
What’s Happening in the Driftless
A new week, a fresh newsletter—and over 90 Driftless events and happenings on tap. This week we’ve got NFL-themed Driftless trivia, the kickoff of Wisconsin’s fishing season, and yep… spring is finally in the air.
Even bigger news: our exclusive Driftless Tribe Discount Card is almost here! Stay tuned for your chance to grab one, and keep an eye on social media for the official release announcement.
Let’s dive in 👇
Driftless Sports Trivia 🏈
From 1984 to 2001, which NFL team held its summer training camp in the Driftless town of Platteville, Wisconsin? |
Community Weekend Happenings
What’s on your agenda this weekend? We’d love to hear about it!
At Driftless Tribe, we’re all about fostering community, and one way we can do that is by sharing the amazing events and plans happening across the Driftless Area. Let us know what you’re up to this weekend by filling out the form below, and we’ll highlight a few in our next newsletter.
Community Submissions:
Bill from Avoca: “The Woods in Lone Rock for fish fry. Nice meal & a nice setting”
David from Humbird: “Humbird Hotel, great food”
Jan from Orion: “Driving the backroads of the Driftless Area. Each Saturday morning neighborhood coffee at our cabin.”
Dawn from Galesville: “Trempealeau city wide rummage sales”
Moment in Time
Kickapoo River, Wauzeka - 1910 - Wisconsin Historical Society, WHI-150957
Opening Weekend: Fishing the Driftless 🎣
In the Driftless Area, outdoor events are endless — hiking, hunting, cycling, sightseeing, motorcycling, dive-bar hopping—you name it. But for me, fishing has always been one of the truest ways to connect to this place.
Traditionally, the fishing season kicks off the first full weekend of May, and with it comes the annual ritual of buying a fresh license. Whether you’re wading into a quiet trout stream or casting into the big waters of the Wisconsin or Mississippi Rivers, it feels like the true start of spring.
There’s a huge variety of fishing opportunities in the Driftless. Walleye, catfish, sauger, smallmouth bass, northern pike, musky, and panfish like bluegill, crappie, and perch all call this place home. And if you’re a trout fisherman— especially if you chase them with a fly rod—this corner of the world is arguably one of the best places to do it.
Thanks to our unique geology, the Driftless Area is full of cold, spring-fed streams that create ideal conditions for trout. In fact, Wisconsin alone has over 6,000 miles of classified trout streams, and a big chunk of those weave right through the Driftless. Brown trout were introduced from Europe in the late 1800s, and today they’ve become the kings of these streams, while native brook trout still thrive in the coldest waters.
Fishing in the Driftless has a deeper history than just recreation. Early Native American tribes fished these rivers as part of everyday survival. Long before there were roads, settlers fished, traded, and traveled these rivers in flat-bottomed boats. Today, you’ll still find folks casting on the Wisconsin River just like they did hundreds of years ago.
On a personal note: some of my favorite memories growing up involve early mornings fishing with my dad and two brothers. We’d wake up before sunrise, cram into a small flat-bottom boat, and head out on either White Mound Lake or one of the lakes at Governor Dodge State Park. No electronics, no distractions—just a quiet mist rising off the water, bobbers floating, and the occasional frantic scramble when someone hooked a good one. Those mornings are stitched deep into my idea of what “home” feels like.
Have a great fishing season—and as my grandma always says: “Early to bed, early to rise, fish like hell, and make up lies.”
Hank the dog fishing at an undisclosed Driftless Area waterway
Happenings
Want a Featured Event including a poster listed? Reach out and say hi.
WEDNESDAY 4/30
Baraboo, Library – BaraBOOK Club for kids Link
Cuba City, Big R Bar – Cuba City Trap Team Fundraiser Link
La Crosse, Capella Performing Arts Center – Live w/ Matthew Shepard Link
La Crosse, Fork & Fable – Wisconsin Cheesesteak with Badger State Brewing Link
La Crosse, Popcorn Tavern – Open Jam Link
Mauston, Gravity Box Brewing Co – Trivia Link
Richland Center, RC Community Center – Winter Market Link
THURSDAY 5/1
Arcadia, Backyard Garden Center – Veggie Garden Planning Link
Baraboo, Al Ringling Brewery – Swing Night Link
Belleville, Library – Pour Painted Pots Link
La Crosse, Pearl Street Books – Author Tamara Dean Talk Link
La Valle, Trail Break Cafe – Spaghetti on the Board Event Link
Monroe, Bullquarian Brewhouse – Live w/ Ethan Keller Link
New Glarus, Tofflers Pub – Live w/ The Jimmys Link
Reedsburg, City – Community Events Showcase Link
Spring Green, Library – Line Dancing Link
Trempealeau, Trempealeau Hotel – Cribbage Night Link
Viroqua, Library – Meteorology Introduction with Nathan Falkinham Link
Wisconsin Dells, Grateful Shed – Open Jam Link
FRIDAY 5/2
Alma, Big River Theatre – Pistol Whippin’ Party Penguins Link
Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery – Live w/ Shawndell Marks Link
Baraboo, Con Amici – Live w/ Dennis Reifsteck Link
Dodgeville, Duke’s – Live w/ Drew Halverson Link
Dodgeville, Merrimac & Main – Paint Class Link
Dubuque, 7 Hills Ballroom – Country Dancing Fridays Link
La Crosse, Bluffside Tavern – Time Trial Link
La Crosse, Popcorn Tavern – Live w/ Adam Greuel & The Space Burritos Link
La Crosse, Rivoli Theatre – 2nd Annual 48 Hour Film Festival Link
Lancaster, City – Citywide Garage Sales Link
Mineral Point, Opera House – Live w/ East Nash Grass Link
Nelson, The Stone Barn – 2025 Season Opener Link
Prairie Du Chien, Backwater Bar & Grill – Live w/ Big Cat Eddie Link
Shullsburg, City – Citywide Garage Sales Link
Viroqua, Fire Dept – Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters 2025 Link
Whitehall, Farmers Garden Market – First Market Link
Winona, No Name Bar – Live w/ Radderdaze Link
Winona, Two Fathoms Brewing – Live w/ Amanda Grace & Kelley Smith Link
Wisconsin Dells, Grateful Shed – Country Shindig Link
SATURDAY 5/3
Alma, Wings over Alma – Mini Train Ride Link
Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery – Spring Market Link
Baraboo, Broken Bottle Winery – Live w/ Noah Hittner Link
Baraboo, Con Amici – Art opening for Rodney Keyeski Link
Belleville, 7 Acre Dairy Co – Sauna Brunch Link
Blair, Tenba Ridge Winery – 6th Annual Kentucky Derby Celebration Link
Blanchardville, Rachel & Ray’s Pub – Live w/ Richardson Acoustic Link
Boscobel, Mt. Zion Pub – Live w/ Neil Knutson Link
Browntown, Hawk’s Mill Winery – Kentucky Derby Party with Live Horse Racing Link
Cassville, City – Cassville Derby Days Link
Cassville, Son Chasers Social Club – Live w/ Laura & Robbie Link
Coon Valley, Coon Valley Dairy Supply – Spring Market in the Valley Link
Eleva, 1880 Doughboyz – 2nd Annual Kentucky Derby Party Link
Highland, Mo’s Bootleggers – 1 Year Customer Appreciation Link
La Crosse, La Crosse Club – Fundraising Party Link
La Crosse, Popcorn Tavern – Live w/ Self-Titled, Minor Theft & Juiceneck Link
La Crosse, Popcorn Tavern – Live w/ The Twilights Link
La Crosse, Timmer’s 10 Mile Pub – Live w/ The B-Sides Link
La Valle, Redstone’s – Kentucky Derby Party Link
Lime Ridge, Branding Iron Roadhouse – Wood-Fired Oven Pizza Night Link
Monroe, Bullquarian Brewhouse – Live w/ Old Goat Skiffle Band Link
Mount Horeb, Do It Best – Haven’s Petting Farm Link
Nelson, The Stone Barn – Yoga & Pizza Link
New Glarus, Toffler Pub – 16th Annual Kentucky Derby Party Link
Plain, Library – Succulent Workshop Link
Platteville, Library – Composting Fun Link
Rockland, The Vault – Spring Market Link
Rockland, The Vault – Trout Tournament Link
Sparta, 111 Milwaukee Street – Tunnel Opening Celebration Link
Spring Green, SG General Store – Live w/ Driftless Bluegrass Band Link
Spring Green, The Shed – Live w/ Low Czars Derby Day Celebration Link
Trempealeau, Trempealeau Hotel – Live w/ Monica Austin Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard – Bird Wreath Creation Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard – Live w/ Sampson & Son Link
Viroqua, 119 Parkwood Trail – Hustle Against Hunger 5k Run/Walk Link
Winona, Arts Center – Live w/ Swam Poppas Link
Wonewoc, Corkscrew Wine Bar – Live w/ Fish with Feathers Link
SUNDAY 5/4
Adams, Cedar Shack – Live w/ Hillbilly Fever Link
Avoca, Whiskey Row Saloon – Live w/ Two County Lines Link
La Crosse, La Crosse Center – Autosport Criterium Link
Mineral Point, Opera House – Free Movie Link
Sparta, 111 Milwaukee St – Community Bike Ride Link
Spring Green, Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret – Live w/ Brett Newski & the Bad Inventions Link
Trempealeau, Trempealeau Hotel – Live w/ Jeremiah Tall Link
Winona, Two Fathoms Brewing – Live w/ Clay Fulton Link
MONDAY 5/5
TUESDAY 5/6
We will check in again next week.
Let us know any events / establishments you would like to be added to this list via IG @driftlesstribe or email [email protected]
If someone forwarded this to you, time to make the leap and join the Tribe!
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