Here are few Missouri River Water Temperatures that you may be interested in.
I know we have been waiting patiently chewing off my fingernails for a month now for the BWO Hatches that we are accustomed to on this great Montana river. While we do love to toss streamers in the fall, we also love to use that new dry fly rod that is begging to be cast…like your new SAGE One lined up with a RIO In Touch Gold!
We are always aware of the water temperature as we move higher in the spring months, but what is the higher end range for the baetis to start hatching on Montana’s Missouri River in the fall? According to this feller, we are right there at the number he states. So, let’s have at ‘er? No?!
Found this online, so I do not swear by the accuracy of this info. I stole it from the Frogwater Blog by author AJ Swentosky.
But, if you have been reading this blog for any length of time you understand that most of what comes from my keyboard is bullshit anyway.
So, with a grain of salt and a shot of shitty Tequila here are the numbers.
The Water Temperature Game
77°F – Upper limit of Rainbow trout survival
75°F – Temperature at which Rainbow trout stop growing
68°F – Temperature at which anglers should consider not fishing for trout
68°F – Temperature at which Browns and Rainbows start to become stressed
67°F – Temperature at which trout significantly decrease feeding
65°F – Temperature at which Brooks start to become stressed
60°F – Temperature at which Damselflies begin to hatch
59°F – Upper end of optimal fishing temperature for Cutthroat trout
58°F – Optimal temperature for PMD hatches
55°F – Optimal temperature for Quill Gordon, Hendrickson, Salmonfly, Trico, Green Drake and Caddis hatches
54°F – Upper end of optimal Baetis hatch temperatures
50°F – Preferred temperature for Cutthroat trout spawning
50°F – Lower end of optimal temperature for Crayfish activity
46°F – Optimal Brown trout spawning temperature
45°F – Optimal temperature for Chironomid hatches
45°F – Optimal Brook and Cutthroat spawning temperature
44°F – Lower end of optimal fishing temperature for Brooks, Browns, and Rainbows
42°F – Lower end of optimal water temperature for Midge hatches
40°F – Minimal water temperature for Baetis hatches
39°F – Lower end of optimal fishing temperature for Cutthroat trout
33°F – Minimal (not ideal) temperature for Midge hatches
