Pretty cool, RJ. I've broke through thin ice with the bow of my yak , and gone through slush chasing ice- out pike and trout. I thought about it lately, too. You do really need some layers on. Hypothermia is no joke, glad you got off easy. I would have had fun going, despite the cold. I always joked if you were going to freeze to death, get down on your elbows and knees and put your hands together in front of you. That way, rescue people can just put a rope around your neck and sled you out. It was funny until I saw a frozen body in that position on Mt. Washington.
I've fished the SR for the past 6 New Years's mornings. I'm breaking that streak this year and going back to a much longer tradition of backpacking up a mountain somewhere. We're going up a steep trail to a shelter in front of a waterfall for this year. Finished shingling my current project yesterday, and poured a bunch of sonna tubes. The weather was VERY cooperative. I'm glad I've got this one closed in, I lose sleep at night worrying about swelling in the framing and the damage it does when it dries out. Cracked floor tiles and popped sheetrock screws are often the result. This one was long sheathed though, so my hygrometer readings are good. Ice is mostly gone here, but this week will change that quick. Wish all a good New Year.