The worst conditions, ice wise, were in a Shakespeare Six event on the Staffs-Worcs Canal many years ago. There was always around 120 fishing these events and this particular Sunday the ice was that thick, at least 10 inches, quite a few gave up the ghost in trying to break it. Those that remained, it was also blizzard conditons, sat eskimo style through holes barely, some barely a foot round and fished whips or very short lines.
While there wasn't so many roach in the canal those days there were plenty of gudgeon but it was too cold for them to feed. The match was won with 1 lb 10 oz and there was about ten more 1 lb weights.
However, the entry had a much younger average age than today and some of the old crappity smack, self included, can not throw ice breakers any more; food for thought on both sides of the coin there.
Trivia
Do you know where the first ever ice covered AT canal match was ever fished. Clues, 144 fished it; A Derby side won and it was in the infancy of the Upper Trent WL, but where?
). Problem is, no one's every pegged near me lately!!!!! 
