Medalist 1495 Made In Akron, OH reel with reversible line guard. The drag disk should be replaced with a Onepfoot or M Part (Bob Selb's The Classic Flyfisherman, Lansdale, PA) reversible drag disk, cost about $30 last I remember. SWEET

Thank you both - I’ll start looking for those.

Paul

Hardy Marquis 8/9. (Love the multiplier version of this reel, but just checked prices and they are out of sight compared to what they were twenty years ago.)

SA System 8 which is basically a Hardy Marquis.

Not to be argumentative, but I have somewhat contrary thoughts to some of the above, or just different experience.
I have a bucketful of Medalists, (really the only reels I've ever used) and for 8wt DT prefer the 1498 over the 1495, I also liked the feel of it better on the FF85. to me the 1495 is best for 6 & 7 wts. but I guess that's just a preference thing. I like some "free space" so that all the line will fit when it's reeled in sloppy.
I'll just go ahead and mention that in frequent use for about forty years I've never had a problem with the nylon (?) ratchet plate that came on the DA models. If I ever live long enough to wear one of those out, I'll probably replace it with a spare of the same kind that's been floating around for years. The OneP-foot parts are nice, but imo unnecessary for a Medalist in good shape. I try not to fix what ain't broke.
The Triangle Taper will fit the !495 better than a DT does, it's about half running line, (a WF8 is too) but for me it's not the best bass fishing line, for big and/or heavy flies I'd rather have a shorter taper or no taper, to go with the short heavy leader. I'm not after delicate presentation. TT are all taper and when I've used them, to overcome that feature, and to make them work better in close I liked to go up in line rating.
1495 1/2 holds almost as much line as the 1498 and is more available, imo, a better choice than !495.
All these seem to have doubled in price over the past two years.

Thanks all - the recommendations are very helpful. I live in a pretty remote area of South Dakota so I’m basically left with purchasing over the internet so the specific models are most welcome.

Thanks again,
Paul

Barry, congrats on Voss-improved Medalist aquisition - barstock spool, etc.

The only place I use 8-wt is in the salt, and my reels are 3.75" dia.

I'd like to put in a plug for the 1396 and 1496 reels. Their drag is smooth and powerful enough for many larger fish. I use them for situations where fast line take up is a good thing to have and ample capacity is an asset. 1496 weights 6.5oz 1498 8.5oz Easily converted to LHW if desired.

ooh, I like that, the Sunbeam click-pawl is Hardy's best and widest-ranging, duplicated in the JLH Ultralite and two small Cascapedias.

I like a Martin, this is a Martin Trophy rebranded for Browning as Midas 4,

An older SA System One 789 or equivalent Daiwa SF 708 will work nicely on that FF858 for your freshwater needs.