| The Pflueger Fishing Tackle Co. has been | | | | #1494-1/2 is a nice little trout fly reel. It has a |
| manufacturing and selling fishing tackle since 1881. | | | | 2-11/16" dia. spool that easily holds 50 yards of |
| I am not sure when the first Medalist 1400 series | | | | 20lb fly line backing and a WF-5 fly line. The |
| fly reels were introduced but it had to be a long | | | | narrow spool #1495 also for trout that has a 3 1 |
| time ago. I am familiar with 6 models of the early | | | | 16" dia. Spool will hold 75 yards of 20lb backing |
| Medalist 1400 series that Pflueger made. They | | | | and a WF-7 fly line. The wide spool #1495-1/2 |
| include numbers: 1492, 1492-1/2, 1494, 1494-1/2, | | | | used for larger game fish has the same spool |
| 1495, 1495-1/2, 1498, and the1498-1/2. The | | | | diameter as the #1495, and it can hold about 150 |
| difference between the models that have the | | | | yards of 20 lb fly line backing and a WF-8 fly line. |
| same number is the width of the spool. For | | | | The newest member to Medalist fly reels is the |
| example the 1495 and the 1495-1/2 have the | | | | 1500RC series made overseas. These newer |
| same diameter spool but the 1495-1/2 had a | | | | versions are basically the same reel as the 1400 |
| wider spool that will hold more fly line backing.. | | | | series but the 1500RC's have an aluminum alloy |
| The 1492 and the 1498 models did not seem to | | | | rim control spool and frame. The "RC" is a very |
| be very popular. The 1492's are a very small fly | | | | popular feature with a lot of the newer fly reels |
| reel with a 2-3/16" dia. spool. The model 1498, | | | | on the market today. It allows the angler to |
| which had a 3-11/16" dia. spool, was large and | | | | "palm" the spool and if needed, to increase the |
| heavy for its time. All of the 1400's have a fair | | | | drag pressure when fighting a large fish. Why is |
| adjustable drag system and they originally came | | | | this so important to you if you own an older 1400 |
| with a right hand crank, which can be converted | | | | series Medalist? Here is the good news: The |
| to a left hand crank if so desired. All of the early | | | | spools are inter-changeable. Therefore if you are |
| 1400's have a hard black enamel finish. | | | | the proud owner of a 1960's Pflueger Medalist |
| Consider the models that were made in the USA | | | | model #1495, you can go to your local sporting |
| during the mid 50's, 60's and 70's, they were and | | | | dealer or fly shop and order a new Medalist 1595 |
| still are, a reliable and very durable fly reel. The | | | | RC (rim control) spool and it will fit your old |
| 1400 series Medalist fly reels can make a good | | | | #1495. |
| inexpensive backup reel, brother-in-law fly reel or | | | | The one and only problem you may have with |
| a starter reel for the beginning fly fisher. Plus you | | | | the Medalist series fly reels is the screws that |
| can purchase one of these reels in almost like | | | | hold the reel frame together, may become loose |
| new condition at a very good price on the used | | | | and need tightening from time to time. This can |
| market. There are three models to consider | | | | be solved with Lock Tight cement found at local |
| depending on your needs. The wide model | | | | hardware stores. |