Pflueger Trump, never saw one

That was one of my first two fly reels, the other being the larger Pflueger Sal-Trout. Both were made of stamped aluminum, not very high quality, but serviceable line holders. Still have the Sal-Trout.
 
What sets these apart from a Medalist? Not sure I've seen other vintage Pfleugers before.
 
Might be able to get a pinky in there just enough to slow the reel on those unexpected lunkers that lurk.
 
It appears that this model576 doesnt have a drag, just a clicker on/off switch . Hench i believe it belongs in the knuckle buster category.
 
Evan B said:
Predictable cleanup just performed. Guys, let's not take the low hanging fruit and just keep this about the reel, mmkay?
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Gosh I love it when you talk dirty.;)
 
One of a similar vintage that I keep on an old 7ft 4 weight Hardy Palakona.

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Looks like fun, fish it. I got a similar old Pfluger Progress 1774 set up with a line for my Leonard. The line take up rate is amazing, haha.
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Evan B said:
What sets these apart from a Medalist? Not sure I've seen other vintage Pfleugers before.
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Utterly simple and way cheaper quality. I don't know what the bushing is made of, but I doubt that it is bronze. The gear wheel is press fit - mine came loose - so they cannot be depended upon for anything beyond smallish pan fish. The spring that engages the pawl is also of dubious quality and is not adjustable for left or right; the resistance is the same both directions. The spool arbor is super small diameter, so you take in less than 1" of line per handle revolution when filling the reel the first time. They sold for about $3 in the 60s; probably around $30 on Ebay today.
 
Salmo_g said:
Utterly simple and way cheaper quality. I don't know what the bushing is made of, but I doubt that it is bronze. The gear wheel is press fit - mine came loose - so they cannot be depended upon for anything beyond smallish pan fish. The spring that engages the pawl is also of dubious quality and is not adjustable for left or right; the resistance is the same both directions. The spool arbor is super small diameter, so you take in less than 1" of line per handle revolution when filling the reel the first time. They sold for about $3 in the 60s; probably around $30 on Ebay today.
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Excellent description.
 
Salmo_g said:
Utterly simple and way cheaper quality. I don't know what the bushing is made of, but I doubt that it is bronze. The gear wheel is press fit - mine came loose - so they cannot be depended upon for anything beyond smallish pan fish. The spring that engages the pawl is also of dubious quality and is not adjustable for left or right; the resistance is the same both directions. The spool arbor is super small diameter, so you take in less than 1" of line per handle revolution when filling the reel the first time. They sold for about $3 in the 60s; probably around $30 on Ebay today.
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$3 and Made in USA!! Dang. Back when you could buy a house for a pack of bubble gum and a years salary.
 
Salmo_g said:
Utterly simple and way cheaper quality. I don't know what the bushing is made of, but I doubt that it is bronze. The gear wheel is press fit - mine came loose - so they cannot be depended upon for anything beyond smallish pan fish. The spring that engages the pawl is also of dubious quality and is not adjustable for left or right; the resistance is the same both directions. The spool arbor is super small diameter, so you take in less than 1" of line per handle revolution when filling the reel the first time. They sold for about $3 in the 60s; probably around $30 on Ebay today.
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Yup, this Trump appears to be the same tension both coming and going.

Maybe an additional support spring could be soldered on next to or in replacement of one of the existing springs for added drag, but it seems like it would indeed also add resistance to reeling in, which at a certain point would probably be annoying.
And wow is the click on this thing ever LOUD. It’s the kind of reel an aggressive lake fisher can use to OWN the LEK.

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Note how few teeth are on the gear wheel. That causes "loud." The pawl is stamped. The spring must be forged in order to hold its shape. And the bushing that rotates on the spindle looks like it's aluminum also. People should exercise some caution when spouting off about "quality built" in America fishing tackle.
 
Salmo_g said:
Note how few teeth are on the gear wheel. That causes "loud." The pawl is stamped. The spring must be forged in order to hold its shape. And the bushing that rotates on the spindle looks like it's aluminum also. People should exercise some caution when spouting off about "quality built" in America fishing tackle.
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Haha, well, it is extremely lightweight which is nice for certain setups, it wasn’t and isn’t expensive, and it has lasted this long, still being used and still in working order, so it’s got that going for it (which is nice).
 
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