I have used the Guideline Coastal line when saltwater fly fishing here in Ireland for many years now. In fact I fish with it quite a lot and really like the older type lines – HERE
Now guideline have created a new version – The Coastal Evolve. Guidline have shortened the head from 10.5 m to 9.8 meters and the weight moves from 19 to 19.5 grams for the #8. This is heavier than say the coastal quick shooter from RIO for a 10.9 meter head but closer to the coastal quick shooter XP at 20.4 grams for a 9.7 head – and similar too to the outbound short (all in the 300 to 330 grain range)
Of course all these lines sit outside the normal AFTMA criteria – but the original does cast and work really well with most modern #8 rods. Any newly designed line you cast will require each individual to adjust to the new line and the coastal is no different – I found myself slowing over the cast a little like casting any shooting head you should be thinking of hitting good distances a lot easier.
I’m thinking too how this line might fit on my ECHO DH…
I’m interested to see the effect of the change in the taper comparisons as the original taper was more ‘rear concentrated’ with a longer front taper, the new evolve has been modified to a shorter front taper and overall shorter head length. One of the things I really enjoyed on the original was the running line – low memory good diameter too for windy conditions and just great to grip – ! The skinny running line on the evolve in wind…..now there’s a challenge – however when drifting flies running line diameter has a huge impact on presentations.
The maker’s own specification is on guidelineflyfish.com. In short: a shorter 9.8m head with more mass in the front, a thinner shooting line, and a low-stretch core. Once my health improves over the next month or so I will cast and fish with the line and make some notes for you on here.