Pflueger Medalist Fly Reel review and price compare 2025

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Product overview

Brand	Pflueger
Material	Aluminum
Hand Orientation	Left Hand, Right Hand
Handle Material	Aluminum
Item Weight	0.55 Pounds
Fishing Line Type	Fly
Bearing Material	Aluminum

product features

Machined aluminum - high grade, precision Machined frame and spool
Standard arbor - high backing capacity spool
Click and pawl - precision click check mechanism
Polymer handle - classic lightweight durability
Left/right hand Retrieve - convertible Retrieve

product description

Relaunching America's most iconic fly reel. The new Pflueger medalist standard arbor fly reel, redesigned with full machined aluminum construction and multi-position click and pawl system. A modern classic.

product details

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 5 x 2.75 inches; 8.8 Ounces
Item model number ‏ : ‎ MED56X
Department ‏ : ‎ Unisex-adult
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ April 6, 2015
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Pure Fishing
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B011LVINWS

important information

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Questions about Pflueger Medalist Fly Reel

What is the length of the reel foot on a size 3/4?

Where is it made?

Answer: Hi, The Pflueger Medalist is made in China. It is very well crafted.

Answer: China

Answer: Mine says "Made in Japan".

Answer: I'm afraid to say, it was made in China.

Will my older spools work with these reels?

Answer: This new reel is a great product! The older, original Medalist will not have compatible parts including reel spools.

Answer: No, your old spare spools will not fit on the new Medalists.

Is the factory setting a right hand retrieve right or is it left?

Answer: Mine came set up for left hand retrieve. However, it it simple to switch to right hand retrieve--just reverse the two pawls that control the click mechanism. It takes less than 30 seconds and the instructions are pictured in the accompanying written material.

Answer: right hand retrieval

Answer: There are two pawls inside that you rotate for left or right hand retrieve. ????

Answer: cast with right hand retrieve with left

Answer: I believe it came as left hand retrieve, but the fly shop set it up so I may be wrong

Answer: Its right. But easy to switch

Can you use this reel in salt water ?

Answer: Hi, This reel is machined aluminum and not cast. It also has stainless steel components. It would be great in salt water but should be rinse in fresh water after each use. A great grease called "hot sauce" used sparingly on the spindle and light oil on the pawls will keep it working great!

Answer: yes, but both the reel and line should be thoroughly cleaned after use in salt water.

Answer: You could but it's not an ideal saltwater reel given it's minimalist drag I would give it 2-3 coats of a good car wax before use every year and plan to wash it well each time

Answer: It's a bit light for saltwater use, but can be used if washed thoroughly afterward.

Can the 3/4 model be converted to left-hand retrieve?

Do you have the 7/8 reel? and is there extra spools avalible for it? and last, you ship to sweden? many thanx! /tobias

Answer: Greetings,

Does it come with a cover?

Answer: It does have a lightweight cover with velcro closure.

Answer: I'm not sure exactly what you mean by a cover, but it does come with a pouch for storage. The access flap fastens with velcro.

Answer: Yes it comes with a reel case.

Answer: Mine came with a reel pouch.

Answer: Yes

Answer: Yes it does.

Where can i buy spare spools for this model?

Answer: ask on Amazon or contact Pflueger

How do you change the retrieve from rh to lh?

Answer: That video can be found on YouTube

What are the dimensions of the 7/8 reel?

Answer: The outside diameter of the reel is 3 1/8 inches. The width of the spool is 1 1/8 inches.

Is this any good for salmon

Answer: The large Medalist could be a good reel for Salmon. It has enough space for backing and large spey lines. It has a simple drag but would need some palming action depending on the size of the river and fish. I would prefer it over a reel like the Behemoth from Redington which has a drag but would fail under big fish big river conditions.

Answer: I would not recommend this reel for a lot of salmon fishing. It will stand up to the occasional salmon. You need a more substantial reel for a steady diet of big fish.

Product reviews of Pflueger Medalist Fly Reel

Jared O'Connor : Better options available

I love the retro styling of this and that's really the only reason I'm keeping it. The click and pawl tension isn't very adjustable, adjustment is made via a tiny knob on the bottom, the wire is visible through the porting of the body and I expected the knob to look a bit more like faux wood, not bright yellow plastic with red streaks through it.

If you're looking for a click and pawl reel and don't require retro aesthetics, there are far better options available for less money.

It does what it do. : Decent

This is a decent reel for the price. The drag system is decent, it doesn't get really draggy, it's just a subtle difference.

Pesky : Excellent! Caught a 24" lake trout recently

Excellent! Caught a 24" lake trout recently. Man, did that drag sing!

It does what it do. : Decent

This is a decent reel for the price. The drag system is decent, it doesn't get really draggy, it's just a subtle difference.

Will : This is what reels should be

I think we have got a little lost with all of these crazy techno graphite nasa engineered drag systems. - Click and Pawl drag, with palm assist is simple and way more fun.
The machining on this is like a Hardy.
Full frame - perfect for thin running lines that might get jammed in your standard half frame reels.

WHR : Five Stars

good quality reel for a reasonable price

NB : Classic reel

It's a classic, and it works like one. Elegant design and looks sharp too. Had a blast on Rock Creek in Montana with this reel on a St. Croix rod.

Nathan Chapman : High quality fly reel

It might be a modern reboot of a classic fly reel, yet this reel is very well constructed and fun to use. I’ll always be a fan of a quality made click n pawl fly reel.

Horst : Well made click and pawl reel. And a touch of nostalgia.

Nice well made reel. Hard to find quality click drag reels. The spool does not wobble on the arbor and the tolerances are very precise. I paired this with a 7 1/2 foot glass rod and it balances very well. Same with the 8 1/2 graphite. When fish make a run, well, the sound, it makes me smile.

robert w lattin : sent it back. very small and drag did not ...

sent it back. very small and drag did not work. basically the same reel I bought 10 years ago for $25

REL in NM : Four Stars

An updated copy of the old Pfleuger 1492.

Matthew Cormier : Five Stars

These are great reels for the price!

Jd : Nice classic fly reel

Its a handsome reel . It dose the job . But it's not a 130.00 dollar reel .

Anna : Five Stars

Just as my husband wanted, as described!

Anna : Five Stars

Just as my husband wanted, as described!

BookNerd : Great quality classic reel

This is a very nice, well made classic reel. I still like the original the best and if you are lucky enough to have one you should hang on to it and find someone who can repair it. If you have to get a new one this is still a very nice reel. It is a bit smaller than the old style. I would definitely buy this again if I need a new one.

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