Big Jack honoured

Big Jack honoured for promotion of the west


Anna-Marie Flynn

THE Pontoon End of Season Fishing Competition ended on a high note when The Moy’s most famed angler, Jack Charlton, was honoured with a special presentation last Saturday.
As part of the prize-giving ceremony held in Pontoon Bridge Hotel, ‘Big Jack’, who owns a house in Ballina and is a regular on the Ridgepool, was presented with a Liam Lyons photograph to acknowledge his outstanding contribution to Mayo’s angling tourism sector.
John Geary, of Pontoon Bridge Hotel and Editor of ‘Hooked on the Moy’, told The Mayo News the occasion was very memorable.
“Jack is synonymous with the river Moy and he really has become a true ambassador for the area which is his second home. In many ways his iconic status has put the Moy on the map for many. When we knew he was attending, we just had to take the opportunity to formally recognise his huge support of the region. He really was delighted with the whole event so it was nice to give something back,” he said.
Acting Chief Executive of Failte Ireland West, Brian Quinn, was on hand to make the presentation and paid tribute to the former Irish squad manager for years of promotion around the globe.
Fresh from a day’s angling, Jack Charlton thanked everyone associated with what he referred to as ‘a very kind gesture’.
A total of 58 competitors took part in the end of season competition, representing seven countries.
“This year we had people from Scotland, Germany and the United States as well as from all over Ireland. We had a great day and night and the event was both enjoyable and successful,” said Mr Geary. A host of well-known anglers, including television personality Derek Davis, took to the waters with local personalities as part of the prestigious competition an what is regarded by many  as Europe’s premier salmon river.