So I was at David's stove shop in hudson oaks today buying time before I picked up my daughter from school. Initially intrigued by the 40% off John Deere apparel and accessories of which I felt compelled to buy all and ultimately bought none. I made my way through the labyrinth that is David's to the old tool section wishing I could buy all the old stanley hand planes but knowing I couldn't afford them I moved on. Not more than 20 feet down my eye was drawn to a tall purple shelf marked $1200. I thought to myself who would buy such a thing, as my eyes looked it over. Up then down then back up when I noticed an old orvis style tying station sitting atop this purple monstrosity. I pulled it down, made of old oak plywood, I thought it might be worth the $45 they were asking for it, but not by much. I pulled it down and to my delight it was full of old fishing stuff. Some baitcaster goods and 30 year old salmon eggs but also a metal fly box marked simply, "wet flies, send to Texas" I also pulled out a Pflueger medalist reel. Knowing they weren't worth much I had to decide if it was worth purchasing the kit. Figuring I could revamp the case for thread storage and all, plus the metal fly box that would cost $20 new, plus having what appeared to be a historic looking Pflueger fly reel I decided to got ahead and purchase it.

So now after doing a bit of research it turns out that the reel is a 1952 Pflueger Medalist right hand retrieve in great condition with all original working parts. Still clicks in both directions and drag and drag knob are fully functional. So here I sit with a true piece of, in my opinion, fly fishing history. A 60 year old fly reel. I think its pretty cool.

Cool indeed, score!

That's at LEAST $50 worth of cool. Great find!

I was born in 1958 & don't like insinuations that in 6 years I will a true piece of history




ok, congrats on the cool reel whippersnapper

Well in 6 years you'll for sure be a cool piece of sumthin...

Great find! And if you have a vintage glass rod, fish it.

Les

I'm with Les. Fish it. That equipment was made to be used. You rescued it, so, like the old Chinese tradition, now you're responsible for it.

Think I'll put it on my daughter's bug launcher. I don't have any fiberglass laying around.

Very nice find. Good stuff!

That is a cool old reel. I am with Les, you need to find an old glass rod to go with the reel. The glass rods cast differently than the graphite that we use now. I was having problems casting one that I found, but Les told me told me the trick to casting them. The rod should match the reel IMHO.

A 1952 Pflueger Medalist reel needs a Southbend bamboo fly rod attached...

George,
If I could find one I'd certainly probably buy it. And get a basket creel and some tweed!!

And don't forget one of these

Robin, I have a Pemco #85 but I gave my 1951 SouthBend bamboo fly rod to a family member and he won't give it back - no tweed jacket tho...
http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/honest-angler/2011/03/vintage-tackle-contest-pemco-fly-reel

Vintage Tackle value $7.99 ...

I just bought a similar vintage 1492 Pflueger medalist to go with a bamboo rod I just picked up. Since I'm backwards (left handed) I've switched the reel for me, but now need to get a replacement foot fro the reel as it doesn't fit the reel seat of my rod. Found a website Onepfoot.com that has replacement parts. Pretty cool.