Description
The RIO King Splitsville Beetle is a masterfully crafted pattern that captures the chaos and vulnerability of a real beetle in distress. Unlike calm and collected imitations, this fly mimics a beetle frantically trying to right itself, with a spent-wing profile and a spray of hackle fibers that create lifelike movement. Its thoughtful design ensures excellent visibility, even when fished in the shadows of overhanging branches or along dark, undercut banks—prime spots where trout eagerly await these easy meals. The Splitsville Beetle combines realism, practicality, and visibility, making it a top choice for terrestrial fishing. Size 10-14
Pro Tip
Cast the King Splitsville Beetle into shaded areas near structure, letting it drift naturally along seams and slow-moving currents. To mimic a struggling beetle, add subtle twitches during the drift to create small ripples and catch a trout’s attention. This pattern is highly visible, so it’s ideal for fishing tricky spots where other beetle patterns might go unnoticed. Pair it with a small dropper nymph to target fish feeding just below the surface, and don’t hesitate to use it on sunny afternoons when terrestrials are most active.
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Recipe
Hook: Standard dry fly hook, sizes 10-14 Thread: Black or brown, 6/0 or 140 denier, used for securing materials and creating a clean base Body: Black foam, segmented into two parts to mimic the thorax and abdomen of a beetle Underbody: Iridescent or dark tinsel/mylar for added subtle shimmer and realism Legs: Medium round black rubber legs tied at the thorax, trimmed evenly for natural balance and movement Wings: White or gray poly yarn or Z-lon, splayed out in a "spent wing" style to mimic a struggling beetle Hackle: Sparse black hackle tied around the thorax to enhance flotation and imitate leg movement Head: Thread or foam build-up to provide a clean, beetle-like finish to the fly