ok…earlier this week I posted questions about a new fly reel for my 4wr rod. I had settled on a 1492 Medalist though reading through the description I notice this rod is only right hand retrieve…Granted I won’t be using the retrieve much except to bring in line at the end of the day I reel prefer to use my left hand to retrieve…feels more natural.
So my question is this…Does it really matter? SInce the reel is a click and pawl drag does it matter which way I wind the line on? If that is the case I would get the 1492 and use it backwards to obtain a left hand retrive.
Mike, I did a quick check of the 1492 on the manufacturers web site http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/products … .php?p=33. Pflueger says the 1492 can be set up for either right or left hand retrieve. My 1494 1/2 reels are interchangable.
Since it’s a non-adjustable click drag it wouldn’t matter. The line guard can’t be switched over to LHW however. I found a nice close up picture which makes it obvious why. www.abu-mania.com/9-pflueger1492.jpg
Hello coltranem, do you mind if I post something here about another model of Pflueger fly reel someone gave to me? Din’t want to just jump in the middle of your post.
The smallest (I think) of the Medalist reels won’t convert from rigth to left, they are built backwards for left handed fly fishermen who reel with their right hands.
The ‘line guard’ will be on the wrong end if you just flip it over, and without it your line can become damaged.
There are lots of fly reels out there in the same price range. If you are a right handed fly fisheman, you want a reel that works correctly for you.
Eventually, Pflueger will get the message and adjust/change the reels so all of us can use them…maybe.
Buddy…the bass fishing industry is the same way…most baitcasting reels are set up to retrieve with the right hand. I would rather keep my rod in the right hand since it is my dominant hand. Luckily a few manufacturers make reels that go both ways.
Thank you coltranem, I have a Pflueger 1495 DA, it says 'Made In USA’on the frame but it doesn’t say Akron anywhere on the frame or spool. It says MEDALIST, Pflueger and MADE IN USA on the spool release and there are three rivets around the spool release.
It’s set up for right hand retrieve and has the drag adjusting knob facing front left when the reel is mounted on a fly rod. Can’t think of anything I’ve left out in the description, but please ask if I have.
What I’d like to know is are these convertible and also about when they were made. Also, if they are higher or lower in value then my Pflueger 1495 that I know isn’t convertible, is set up for right hand retrieve, nor does it say Akron anywhere and the only place it says MADE IN USA is on the spool release. It does say PATENTED on the frame and NO.1495 along with DIAMOLITE LINE GUARD. Lastly, there are 6 rivets around the spool release.
Any help with these questions would be appreciated !
When I was doing a lot of ‘mainstream’ bass tournament fishing, all my casting reels were ‘left hand crank’. Foolish to change hands at the precise moment when many strikes occur.
I even owned a ‘set’ of the only baitcasting reels I’ve seen marketed that were actually convertable from right to left hand retrieve. Ryobi made them, and I used all 7 of mine until they fell apart.
Matters a good deal less for fly fishing, but it still works better if you don’t have to change hands.
The Medalist is not a click pawl reel . It has a pretty nice drag system . The Pflueger Gem is a click pawl , however , and could be used either way . Check out e-bay for pictures of the Gem . I’ll ship one in decent condition to you for $25 .
Thank you Flyboy@ak, that’s the information I needed. I’ll save those links so as I find more Pfluegers I’ll know right where to look ! I love this place !
No problem. I had a 1494 that I bought in the 70s, and this summer I gave my nephew who was interested in starting fly fishing a 5wt graphite-glass Fennewick 5wt rod and the reel. The reel needed cleaning, and he is left handed so I needed to switch retrieve directions. To do that I had found those links, and bookmarked them thinking it would come in handy in the future. Glad it helped out.
Ya, I kinda hooked him though on his first time flyfishing with “Uncle Flyboy”. Put a Sage XP 7wt in his hand and placed him in in a spot that was lousy with big Pike. That 12 year old had eyes as big as saucers when those waterwolves were inhaling a mouse he short cast out from my boat into some shallow weedy water. By the end of the day he was really casting fairly well, considering such a big streamer and a titanium wire leader. He must have hooked up 20 Pike, and of course we released them all. Since then back at home with the rig I gave him he has caught grayling and rainbows on the 5wt, and practices up in his yard casting when he can’t get to water. He lives in Fairbanks, so I can’t get up there to frequently. His dad though not a fly fisher, is encouraging him to cast, and takes him to local water. Grayling fishing is quite good up there, so he does well with a Griffiths knat, EHC and Parachute Adams supply I sent him home with. Oh ya, he has a couple of big mice too, I am waiting for a story of him getting into trouble with a big fish on that 5wt!!
Yep, big huge trout on a too light fly rod is always good for some thrills. Good on his non-flyfishing dad too. I always get a good smile when I hear things like that, fly fishing related or not !
I wanna do those ‘waterwolves’ one day soon too. That has to be awesome.
