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Thread: New Pflueger Medalist fly reel

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
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    Guerneville
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    Default New Pflueger Medalist fly reel

    Wondering if anyone has experience with the new Medalists? They're very affordable, have had some problems with my Orvis Battenkill IV since hooking a large steelhead on it. Looking for an affordable clicker for my steelhead rods to use as a backup, wondering if its comparable to the Battenkill quality wise. Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    orangevale ca.
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    319

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    My friend has a new Medalist. They might be a little small for a Spey rod more for a switch or trout Spey set up.
    Second on the Battenkill. They need to up grade the click a paw system on it. Mine failed twice!
    Last edited by Smitty Fish; 12-10-2020 at 10:17 AM.

  3. #3
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    Jan 2005
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    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
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    Here is a good video review from Red's Fly Shop in Oregon:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3rRm4E06Bg

    Looks like a Hardy like click-n-pawl drag.

    Good for trout and panfish.....


    https://www.purefishing.com/collecti...y-reel-1371887


    At $125 price point it will have lots of other competition.....
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  4. #4
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    Aug 2019
    Location
    Guerneville
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    Thanks for the responses guys. Actually ended up buying an old medalist 1598RC on ebay for $30. Didnt expect much obviously but seller has a lot of vintage medalists and said its in good fishing shape despite worn exterior. Arrived the other day and am very pleased with it, guess the vintage medalists dont sell for much based on what ive seen on ebay. The 1598 is very large, and heavy, going to pair it with my 14’ 8 weight Spey rod for fishing the mainstem Eel and Smith rivers.

  5. #5
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    Jan 2005
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    Default

    That is a good choice.....the biggest one.



    If you need any parts for that reel contact "One-Pfoot" company:

    https://onepfoot.com/



    Archuleta's Reel Works can usually help you too:

    https://www.archuletasreelworks.com/
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  6. #6
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    Aug 2019
    Location
    Guerneville
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    Default

    Thanks Bill those are great resources to have. Would be nice to covert it from right hand wind to left but think its too old to be able to do that? Not sure what year the reel was made think its at least from the 60s if not older.

  7. #7
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    Unless the Medalist has a round metal line guard it can be reversed by getting a machines drag disc from One-Pfoot company.



    Picture of a One-Pfoot machined reversible drag disc/plate.

    https://images.fiberglassflyrodders....r/XjiHOJyh.jpg
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  8. #8
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    Aug 2019
    Location
    Guerneville
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    Default

    Excellent thanks Bill! Mine does not have the round line guard on it. Was kind of hoping it would as i havent owned a reel with one and they do look cool, but glad it doesnt now.

  9. #9
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    Jan 2005
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    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
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    On the old Pflueger 'Medalist' fly reels we would install the machined reversible drag disc and a counter balance to keep vibrations down.

    This can be bought from One-Pfoot......get some frame screws while you are at it. We would Loctite those screws.

    https://onepfoot.com/
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
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    Top local fly fishing guide and Kiene's staff member told me right now his "go to $100 range fly reel" in the Waterworks Lamson Liquid.

    https://www.waterworks-lamson.com/product/liquid/

    Cast metal fly reels use to be considered fragile but today we have "vacuum casting" that has changed all that.
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

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