Water temp

[Alan Palmer]

Does anyone take river temps, something I used to but not for a few years, and no longer have a thermometer. So does anyone recommend a particular thermometer?

 

[Lee Backshall]

I do use one.......nothing complicated or expensive, it's an aquarium one off Ebay for a few quid....the temperature probe is on 2ft of thin wire ....I have wrapped a bit of lead on it to make it sink.
Like I say it's just for my diary to give me an idea

 

[John McGough]

Yes, but not always on my local river as there is an EA site that measures and shows the water temperature every hour.
I won't bother checking the temperature until mid October.
I'm not one for digital thermometers but these are good enough.

https://www.tackleuk.co.uk/shop/Carp-Fishing-Thermometers/Reuben-Heaton-Thermometer.htm

 

[Jim Brook]

Same as John above you can cast / swing it out into deeper water after attaching it to your mainline, rather than just lowering it in the near side.

 

[Barry Peck]

I take the temp every time I go and the levels . I do it for reference really so If I have a good day on a certain stretch I can look back to it in future .

My diary consists of

Venue
River level
Air temp
Water temp
Air pressure

Then a few notes on the session etc ... it can be so helpful especially if you are travelling to a venue and want to gauge what to expect when you get there .

 

[Barry Peck]

I use an aquarium digital thermometer by the way . You can get 3 for around £5 on eBay . I can't fault them and at that price you can lose a few in the drink

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Yes but in winter mainly where a single degree in either direction can make or break your day.

 

[Cliff Turner]

i don't see the point.. I used to do it and all it did was raise or lower my expectation... often being proved wrong !

 

[Jim Gregory]

I used to do it with an old reuben heaton thermometer , but then asked myself the question when the novelty wore off,...
Why! ... "I can't make it any warmer".

 

[Jim Brook]

For me it’s invaluable in winter as I can tell if the water temperature drops rapidly and therefore time to pack up and go home or if the temperature goes up to decide whether or not to stay longer and still probably blank!

 

[Jon Young]

i don't see the point.. I used to do it and all it did was raise or lower my expectation... often being proved wrong !

Agree really. If you’ve made the effort to go to the river you might as well fish. I generally go by the rule of if I want to fish and the air temp when I get there is going to be 3 or 4 degrees or above I’ll go. I don’t mind if it’s going to get colder while I’m there I’ll just pack up if I get too cold but if it’s below that before I leave the house I won’t bother as I know I’ll just be freezing as soon as I get there as i suffer with bad circulation anyway so will just be too uncomfortable