Thought of some questions that has bugged me in the past but never took the time to post them here to see if I could get some insights from some of the resident historians. Does anyone know why Pflueger only made the old 1492’s in a right hand retrieve/nonreversible configuration, while on their other 1490 series reels they made most of them reversible? Second question is a simpler one - Does anyone know the line wt ratings of the different 1490 series reels? Thanks.
Jim, sent ya a PM
Thanks for all the cool info Clyde. Still can’t figure out why the 1492s weren’t reversible, or why they didn’t just make them in a LHW model. Would you have any info on what weight of line corresponds with which series of reel?
Jim, Dont know where Joe is. When he sees this hell jump in. Hes got a pretty good idea on reel line wts
Dear Jim,
I don’t know this for certain, but I really believe that the line capacity specifications for Pflueger reels are based on using silk fly line. Even today, the capacities are way off.
Pflueger lists a 1494 as having the capacity for a DT5 and some backing. That is totally wrong, you cannot fit an entire 90 foot DT5 line on a 1494 with no backing unless you wind it on with the precision of a parachute packer.
As far as your 1492 question goes, I don’t think anybody has a good answer for that one.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
i have a 1494 with a 6wt and backing. never had a problem getting the line on the reel at all I am extremely sloppy. Would not reccomment anything higher with a light weight pole as the reels weigh a little heavy
I totally agree with Avalon. Pflueger VASTLY overestimated how much backing/line would fit on their reels. My estimate would be as follows:
1492-2or3wt
1494-4wt
1495-5-6wt
1496-7wt
1498-9wt
Of course, there are also the 1/2 models that have a wider spool and allow for more backing/line. I’ve got a WF5 line on my 1494 1/2, a DT6 on my 1495, and a WF7 on my 1495 1/2.
Regards,
Joe Martin
Salem, OR
Here’s some pics of my 1494 with a DT5F and approx. 50 yds of 20lb Gudebrod dacron backing.
Dear Heritage Angler,
I’m wondering if the vintage reels had a larger diameter arbor than the more modern reels?
All my Pflueger’s are DA’s or older. I have a 1494 DA with about 25 to 30 yards of backing and 60 feet of a DT5 on it and it’s stuffed to the gills.
How’d you work your magic?
When we going fishing?
Best Wishes,
Avalon 
Hi Tim - I’m guessing you’re correct on the vintage vs. modern Pfluegers. I’m free on Sunday and Monday if you’d like to fish. Was supposed to go up to Pulaski tomorrow for some steelie fishing, but my buddy had his kitchen pass revoked, and I wasn’t into the 4 1/2 hour drive solo thing. Email me or call if ya wanna feesh…Ed
P.S. - I’ll be in the woods out of cell range tomorrow for the last day of early muzzleloader season, so you can leave a message on my home phone voice mail or call after 9pm.
please, no offense. But, something about this message just got to me. I have no idea, but it does.
"P.S. - I’ll be in the woods out of cell range tomorrow for the last day of early muzzleloader season, so you can leave a message on my home phone voice mail or call after 9pm."
Dear JC,
I suppose I need to ask what gets to you about the message?
Is it the fact he’s hunting, or is it the fact he’s out of cellphone range?
If your problem is the second problem I hear you, because I hate cell phones outside in the woods and streams too, and I know Heritage Angler and consider him a friend.
Best Wishes,
Avalon
Hi JC - No offense taken. Maybe if I clarify myself you’ll feel more comfortable about the post. Avalon has both my home phone number and my cell phone number. I’m hunting tomorrow and my cell phone doesn’t get reception at all on the mountain I’ll be on. Tried it every day this week, and it just doesn’t work. I’ll be home for sure by 9pm with or without a deer, so if Avalon wants to go fishing on Sunday, all he has to do is leave me a message somewhere - email, voice mail, or he can reach me at home after 9pm. Gives him several options, and I’ll know he is interested and can call him back. It’s a long distance call for him but not for me (calling plan difference), so I was just trying to save him money. Hope that makes sense…Ed
Aw heck no, clear as a bell. Just kinds seemed like hi-tech meets black powder. An enigma or 'sumpin. A bit incongtous. The past running into the future,
Me too, sort of I had a 1494 with a WF6F on it with some backing for years and it fit just fine. Right now I have a mint 1494 vintage 1959 that I tricked out with all the One Pfoot stuff just waiting for me to find a rod to put it on. I was hoping to put a 5 or 6wt on it. I hope it fits!
The 1592 was the LHW version of the 1492
don’t know if this helps but it appears to be a maching (manufacturing ) issue.
1940 - 1949
The 1496 1/2 and 1494 1/2 were offered.
The 1496 was dropped.
The 1498 4? was added.
The 1595 LH with adjustable drag and a line guard was available.
The biggest change was the availability of a Left Hand conversion ratchet, part number 3933. This was supposed to fit any Medalists except for the 1492, which was a click drag
I have an old pflueger medalist 1494 that I bought off ebaby a while back. It’s a neat old reel. I’d really like to use it occasionally. BUT it is right hand retrieve and I just can’t do that. Is there ANY way to switch those old reels to Left hand retrieve?
thanks for any info,
Greg
Unless it’s the very first ERA yes. You should see 2 screws where the disk that handles the drag is with 8 slots in it. Remove the screws and set them aside so not to lose them and remove the disk taking care not to let the spring get away, flip the disk over (there will be 4 slots) and reinstall screws, it’s now LHW. Don’t forget to swap the line and backing.
Hey thanks. I’ll give that a try today. I looked all over the internet and couldn’t find any info like that. I even asked a guy at a reel shop and he didn’t know. I’ll let you know if it works.
Greg