Pflueger Medalist 1594 1/2
This is the first reel that I ever used. In terms of holding the line when not in use, it performs perfectly. Most of the time when fly-fishing a certain amount of line has already been stripped in before a strike occurs. This means that there is often little opportunity for fighting a fish off the reel. With that in mind, this reel is well worth the $20 or so that it costs.
My only real (no pun intended) problem with it is the drag adjustment. It is a plastic screw located off to the side of the reel face. It is clumsy and doesn't seem built to last.
Pflueger Summit
My latest purchase, that with the extra spool and shipping, set me back about $150. This is a beautiful reel that feels great either pulling line out or reeling it in. I dropped it in the water about 15 minutes into my first trip with it, and it dried out and seems no worse for the wear. The drag adjustment is a big star-like knob on the backside of the reel.
The reel that I modeled for the Arbor knot tutorial is my best rendition of it.
