Stream Thermometer

[northcountry]

Hey guys,

Ive noticed in recent posts that a lot of you all regularly use thermometers. Does anybody have a suggestion as to which type seems to be the most practical on the water as far as ease of use, size, etc. Ive found myself wishing I knew what the temps are on the waters Ive been at lately, and it seems that I could benefit year round from having a thermometer handy.

On the same note, I stopped by a river in NH on the way back to CT yesterday and started at my usual spot (the deepest pool I can find). I ran into a guy on his way out, he said the water was 72 and he couldnt get anything going. He wasnt kidding, it felt like bathwater. I had figured it would be warm so I planned on smally fishing, but as I got down to the hole there were several rising rainbows working the surface of this large pool. Hardly any insect activity on the surface, only saw a few small BWOs in 3 hours. These fish seemed to be cruising the pool picking off something in the film regularly. One of my weakest skills in flyfishing is identifying what the fish are eating, so yesterday with the high water temps and no obvious activity I was pretty much at a loss. I watched for a while, then moved on downstream and had a good few hours with the smallmouths on buggers.

Any thoughts, and any suggestions for a thermometer? thanks

I think the allentown area for next years TPO meet sounds like a great idea, i was really bummed to miss this one.

[Magnet]

I think Aaron and Justin are open to having it in Pa somewhere next time. They spend alot of time there and I'm sure they will know a good spot to have it. I need a new thermometer too. Mine is in the river. I had the William Joseph one that you submerge for a reading. It worked fine. This time I am going to get the fancy one that you don't have to stick under water.

[MtnDawg]

I have the C&F thermometer tied to a string in my vest, I just drop it in the water while I'm fishing, and pull it up to check after a few minutes.
I like it, because it has a little magnet built into the bottom of it, so if I happen to drop a fly in the water, I just drop the thermometer in after it, and I can usually retrieve the fly right away without much effort.

My .02


Bri

[Silver Creek]

I use an armored thermometer. it is in an aluminum cage that allows water to pass but protects the glass. It has a ring for a cord but I just hold it in my hand. The cords get tangled up IMHO.

I also have an infrared thermometer but I've given up on it. It takes reflective surface water reading and I believe the tried and true red dyed alcohol glass thermometers are more accurate.

[northcountry]

Thanks for the replies. The one with the magnet sounds like a great idea.

[clown_college]

http://www.ecotemp.net

This one just sticks to your waders!

Haven't got in the water yet, but it seems to stick very well to my waders!

[Magnet]

I just purchased the cage thermometer similar to what Silver suggested after reading his post about the reflective skewed results when using an infrared thermometer. Someone I ran into while fishing took a reading while standing on a bridge with one and I was wondering how accurate it was from there. Silvercreek confirmed my suspicion. The one I picked up from Upcountry was $17.00. It is made by fishpond. As long as you can live with the girly magenta color. Ha ha. I don't know why its not camo!

[catchm]

I also have one that is glass inside what is basically an aluminum tube cut out to expose the temp scale. I've had this thing for pobably 20 years. It's a simple gizmo that's held up under a lot of use. I'm a big fan of basic sturdy gear that serves its purpose. Bob, magenta????