What does climate change mean for the species that live in Wisconsin waters?
The streams of the Driftless region are where you’ll find the trout that fly fishers are after. With changes to the frequency of extreme weather events, water temperatures, and plant cover from predators, come stresses to the trout, impacting their survival and that of fly fishing in the region. Wade into the story of one fly fishing guide’s experience to learn more about what’s happening and what’s at stake.
Explore the story
Questions to consider
Peter shares that when he started fishing with more experienced fly fishers, he learned a lot about rods and techniques to improve his skills. Have you been fly fishing before? Is there an outdoor activity you like to do that you have learned with the help of other people?
What do trout need to survive? How are flood events and changing water temperatures impacting those needs?
What were fly fishers’ reactions to the flooding in the area? How could those floods impact the careers of Peter and other fly fishing guides? Of the economies of communities in the Driftless region?
On the map
Viroqua, WI
Viroqua is in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, which is known for its trout streams.
In their words
“They were supposed to be 100-year floods and we had two in two years. I think part of that is seeing things that we’ve never seen before here.”
– Peter Cozad
For educators
Access the educator guide for this story for extension activity ideas, discussion questions, a background information essay, and standards supported.
Production credits
Producer
Finn Ryan
Videography
David Nevala
Editing
David Nevala
Photography
David Nevala
Music
Asche & Spencer
Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Essay
Erik Olson
Web Design
Charles Barrows
Web Development
John Vieth
Special Thanks
Peter Cozad
Driftless Angler Fly Shop
Educator advisory cohort for 2024 updates
Illeana Alexander
Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission
Odanah, WI
Darien Becker
Welty Environmental Center
Beloit, WI
Dolly Ledin
Education Chair, Wisconsin’s Green Fire
Madison, WI
Lisa Johnson
UW Climate Leadership Team and Dane County Extension Horticulture Educator
Madison, WI
Leigh Kohlmann
Retired Middle School Educator and Independent Science Education Consultant
Oakfield, WI
Lynn Kurth
John Muir Middle School
Wausau, WI
Victoria Rydberg-Nania
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Portage, WI
Cathy Techtmann
University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension Environmental Outreach and Community Development Institute
Pence, WI
Julie Uram
Nature At The Confluence
South Beloit, IL
Sarah Wright
Eagle School
Fitchburg, WI