Mark, sounds like my kind of day on the ice. I like the definite sprint to the finish line race to a trap with bait bucket splashing all over He## and creation. I think it scares the fish into a run away from whatever is making that noise on it's ceiling & makes for easy hook setting. ;-}
But seriously, I'm setting my traps away from the commune this year. It's a hoot to hang out, socialize, drink coffee, etc. but I believe that the shuffling feet, the iceskating, the hockey sticks & all that noise chase the fish away from the local area. I'm gonna get there earlier & set my traps ~100 yds away from where I stage the commune's base camp.
Tear 'em up this year guys !