Design, Weight & Action in the Water

The Red Ghost incorporates a balanced weighting system consisting of five wraps of lead, positioned approximately ¼

inch behind the hook eye.

This weight distribution allows the fly to swim through the middle of the water column during the retrieve and sink deeper

when paused. This gives the angler the ability to work different depths and reach fish that may be holding deeper,

depending on the season and conditions.

Simple Materials, Effective Movement

One of the defining characteristics of the MAO’S FLY RED GHOST is the simplicity of its materials.

The body and tail are made primarily from Peach Strung Marabou, combined with a brown hackle. Its distinctive red

head is formed by hand using Red Ultra Thread 140 Denier and finished with UV epoxy resin.

The combination of marabou and hackle creates soft, natural movement in the water. During the retrieve, the fibers

compress and then open again, giving the fly a lively, pulsating action.

The Surprise: Much More Than Bluegill and Black Crappie

The first tests brought an exciting surprise.

The Mao’s Fly Red Ghost produced strikes from more than just Bluegill and Black Crappie. The pattern also attracted

Peacock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Jaguar Cichlid, Mayan Cichlid, Gar, and Oscar.

A fly originally conceived for freshwater began demonstrating its ability to attract a much wider variety of species.

Then came an even bigger surprise:

The Mao’s Fly Red Ghost began producing results in saltwater as well.

Proven in Our Waters

We have tied and tested this pattern on different hook sizes—with a preference for #6—and have also experimented

with Strung Marabou in other colors, including white, beige, brown, and green.

In the Florida Everglades, the pattern has produced excellent results, particularly with Peacock Bass and Largemouth Bass.

Testing then expanded into saltwater.

In Biscayne Bay, the Red Ghost has produced strikes and catches of Blue Jack and Snapper.

At Sunshine Key, it produced catches of Parrotfish, Sand Perch, and Bluestriped Grunt. One particularly memorable

achievement was landing three Parrotfish on this fly.

These experiences demonstrated something we had not anticipated when the Red Ghost was first created: a pattern

designed for the Everglades was also capable of producing exciting results in saltwater. The original PDF documents

these freshwater and saltwater catches photographically on pages 4 and 5.

We Keep Testing

An important part of the development of the MAO’S FLY RED GHOST is continuing to fish it, experiment with it, and document its results. One of our next goals is to land a Bonefish on the Mao’s Fly Red Ghost. When we do, it will become another chapter in the story of this fly. We believe its combination of movement, profile, and color makes the Mao’s Fly Red Ghost a promising option for many other species, in both freshwater and saltwater.