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.

I have taken the notes from the Guideline page on their new line (please see below) and I have highlighted the changes from the original. 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.

Source: http://www.guidelineflyfish.com

TAPER

The brand new Coastal Evolve WF fly line has an optimised taper with slightly more mass in the front part to effortless turn over the fly in harsh coastal conditions. Guideline have designed the line for sea run brown trout, sea bass, mullet and other coastal species that live in shallow water and require long, careful and precise presentations regardless of the weather conditions. Coastal Evolve has an improved and somewhat thinner shooting line to give less friction in the guides and thereby longer casts in difficult conditions. The color of Coastal Slow Intermediate’s head is Ice Green, while the head of Fast Intermediate is a slightly darker Sea Green. The shooting line is a clearly visible Sunrise Yellow that makes it easy to recognize where the taper of the head ends and the shooting line starts.

The head weight in the table is at 9.8m, which is the bulk of the head and what is required to cast effortlessly and effectively. The back taper has the same color as the shooting line and is 4m long with a smooth taper that ensures very good stability when you want to cast really far. When casting the new Coastal Evolve, it feels like Coastal in weight, but it has more stability and power in the roll over due to slightly more compact taper in the front of the head. This feature is an important improvement to both casting and presentation in wind with increased stability and a roll-over that is far less sensitive to wind. Back taper / handling line was also excluded in the head weight on the first generation Coastal. Total length is 32 meters.

SPECIFICATIONS

The coating is the same memory-free, smooth and durable type that many recognize from the previous version of the Coastal. The line has a Direct Contact core with only 5% stretch, which means that you have excellent contact with the fly and feel the slightest pull and bump from the fish. Because Coastal fishes just below the surface, it creates a straight line between your hand and the fly and a turbulent surface do not affect the contact. PVC-free coating without softener and a durability in a class of its own makes the Coastal a good environmental choice. Factory welded loops in the front and back make it easy to place a drawer and connect the cable to the reversing via loop system.
Slow Intermediate has a sink rate of 1.25cm / second. The discrete color of the head together with the density means that the line stays just below the surface and does not create shadows and wakes on the surface. This makes it the perfect weapon for spooky fish in shallow water.
Fast Intermediate has a sink rate of 3.8cm / sec and thus goes down somewhat deeper. It´s a great choice when you want to fish off edges and deeper parts, or when you fish wants a high speed fly.

Despite its name, we also want to highlight the Coastal as a super-fine alternative for the fisherman who chases rainbow trout and trout in still water. As on the coast, you often come across windy days that require you cast into a stiff headwind, and it is striking often that the wind drives food on the wind side and that is where you find the fish. To fish a nymph or streamer just below the surface is often very effective, and when the line goes down just below the turbulent surface it gives good contact with the fly.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Thinner shooting line for long, frictionless cast.
• Optimized taper with more mass in the front.
• Sharper color difference between the shooting line and the head.
• Factory welded loops in front and back.
• Direct Contact core with only 5% stretch.
• Environmentally friendly PVC-free coating without softener.
• Optimal wear resistance with no-crack coating.

TECHNICAL INFO

*Head weight measured at 9,8 meter, read more under the Taper section above.