Simon.... you just couldn't restrain yourself and keep off eh
I know how you feel about not being safe standing there on thin ice Last year (dec. 24th) I was fishing on roughly 5" and was not very confortable knowing that about a few yards away, ice would be thinner
I did not stay very long & didn't catch a sniff but like you said, felt good to be dipping a line in
Not much ice over here yet so far but it's promising if the temps stay the way they are
Thanks for taking the time to post and share with us
Tight lines
Jacques