[Salmo_g]

I have a Medalist 1498 that Harry Lemire gave me, and he had stripped the paint from the outside if the frame. It does look pretty nice that way. Someday I'll have to take it the rest of the way and made it totally nude. Looks nice Preston!

Sg

 

[David Loy]

That does look cool Preston.
A few years ago when I got interested and acquired some 6 & 7wt Fenwicks, I wanted a matching reel. So without a ton of research I found & bought an Akron 1495 70's vintage Medalist. As if on cue, a week later my father (cleaning out his shop) found and gave me a matching one. Neither are collectors items but they are as solid as new and I've put the onepfoot clutch in each of them for left hand wind. I also picked up a 1494 but haven't really assigned it to any rod yet. May not.
Fenwicks and Pfluegers were made for each other.

 

[Flyguy65]

Pfenwicks and Pfluegers is what you mean.....right David? I started 48 years ago with a 1494, now I have several with my favorite being a 1494 from the 30's that's a click & pawl reel. Fish it on bamboo! See you whenever the gathering is.

 

[Ernie Adams]

I have a 1496 1/2 (same as a 1498) on my 11 1/2 ft 6/7. I have also used a 1498 on a 14 foot spey. With Skagit heads they work fine. How often do fish go deep into backing anyhow?

Go Sox,
cds

 

[Chris Johnson]

I have a 1496 1/2 as well, I use it on my 12'6" 8wt for winter fish. I think the 961/2's are a little thinner & lighter than the 98's

 

[Hiouchibear]

These are part of our history in the Pacific Northwest. I've used and admired them since the 1950s. The 1495 1/2 model was the standard on fly rods used in Northern California's Eel River when I arrived in the 1970's; everybody who didn't have the bucks for a Hardy was catching their chinook and steelhead with Medalists. Today I use a circa 1959 model 1498 for my winter fishing with 8wt rods. I enjoy the look on the faces of the recently-converted fly fishers I meet .....

We share history. I grew up in Eureka, fly fishing in my grade school days on the Eel and continuing through high school, college and a 30 plus year career before retiring (sort of) and leaving the area. I fished the Eel from the late 50's until I left Humboldt County around 2000. Pflueger reels and Fenwick fly rods and the old sealdry (sp?) latex waders were the norm during the early years. We used our Hardy reels of course but by and large, the Pfluegers ruled. I still have my Pflueger reels from the 60's, all in great shape with spare spools. In fact, I'm using my 1498 on one of my Spey rods.
I have such great memories of Lloyd Silvius' Fly Shop at Harris & Union streets in Eureka. I spent a lot of time in that shop. Jim Pray, the inventor of the optic flies lived in that area....and of course the guy in Ferndale who had a part time fly shop (can't recall the name now). The fishing on the Eel was great in those years. I have so many great memories of the Eel River; memories that I cherish. We were truly spoiled by the quality of the fishery in those days.

 

[clarkman]

Very cool, Preston.

I still have one of the RC models (Japan made perhaps??) that I use for steelheading. Had it since the early nineties and has seen a ton of use and still kickin'. There's something about the ratchety sound they make that I just like.

 

[napawino (Roger Craft)]

I agree with one caveat, I would stay away from the CJ's and AK's, I had a 1492 break on me.

Never had any issue with either of those. Or any other for that matter. Dropped one in a lake once. Does that count?

 

[napawino (Roger Craft)]

double tap

 

[wisconsin_fly]

Jack Devlin had mentioned Dan at One Pfoot for new parts. Looks like he is still around. I got some of the hardened drag plates last spring and he recently updated the page back in October.

http://www.onepfoot.com/

 

[MarkZ]

That does look cool Preston.
A few years ago when I got interested and acquired some 6 & 7wt Fenwicks, I wanted a matching reel. So without a ton of research I found & bought an Akron 1495 70's vintage Medalist. As if on cue, a week later my father (cleaning out his shop) found and gave me a matching one. Neither are collectors items but they are as solid as new and I've put the onepfoot clutch in each of them for left hand wind. I also picked up a 1494 but haven't really assigned it to any rod yet. May not.
Fenwicks and Pfluegers were made for each other.

Hi David ... I too change over Medalists to LH retrieve ... excuse my ignorance, but what is a "onepfoot clutch"? Thanks!

 

[Robert Engleheart]

Probably heresy but any thoughts on the new medalist? I handled one at a fly shop recently and was impressed; machined aluminum, palming rim, pawl drag. Thinking about replacing the Lamson on my switch rod with one. The 7/8 is 3-7/8" diameter, 1" spool width, 7.9 oz.; with a small arbor I think it would carry 100+ yards of backing with a 430 grain scandi.

 

[Salmo_g]

My first impression was sticker shock. Seems like a lot of money for a Medalist. However, on second look they are probably a good value when compared to other reels currently on the market.

 

[napawino (Roger Craft)]

The new ones are OK. But they lack the mojo of the old ones.

 

[Salmo_g]

The new ones are OK. But they lack the mojo of the old ones.

How do you know? Mojo doesn't come with a reel right out of the box. It develops with time, if at all. The new Medalists might develop just as much as any of the old models. Or not.

 

[napawino (Roger Craft)]

Either you know mojo or you don't. I have experienced fishing with both. New old ones and new new ones.

 

[Robert Engleheart]

Either you know mojo or you don't. I have experienced fishing with both. New old ones and new new ones.

You have used the new Medalist or speaking of new reels in general?

 

[2kayaker]

You have used the new Medalist or speaking of new reels in general?

I like to buy spools for the modern 1495 1/2 rim control and insert them on older classic 1495 1/2 bodies - best of both worlds.

 

[greenriver]

do a search for" fly fish ohio pflueger medalist" more good history and info

 

[PezVela]

I had Bill Franke (the original One Pfoot) do the full Monty on a couple of my old 1494 Medalists. Unfortunately he passed on a few year back, but he sure knew how to make a Pflueger reel right... or in my... case left!
The reel below has his reel seat, (some old Medalists didn't fit well on bamboo seats) sculptured pillars, new knob, latch cover, counter weight, metal drag plate, medal tension knob, and best of all.. the round line guide, set up for left hand wind. I had him do three reels and as many spools over the years, and while a little expensive, they are jewels, and will be around to pass on the my grandsons.