How to Tie Bob Pop's Sand Flea Pattern

Jul 01, 2022 · 3 min read

Learn how to tie Bob Pop's Sand Flea pattern including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.

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Designed by Bob Popovics, the Sand Flea has natural motion, a realistic profile, and is incredibly effective anywhere you find sand fleas. Whether you are chasing striped bass in the Atlantic surf, corbina in the Pacific, or pompano in Florida’s wash, this fly does an excellent job at matching these crustaceans.

Materials:

Hook: Ahrex FW550 - Size 2
Thread: UNI-Mono
Body: Hareline Strung Saddle Hackle
Legs: Hedron Perfect Rubber Silicone Legs
Eyes: Hareline Double Pupil Brass Eyes

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Step One

Black sand flea fly hook clamped in vise on gray background, metal curved shank and eye, fly tying close-up

Begin the pattern by running the Uni-Mono from the bend below the hook’s eye to just above the rear curve.

Step Two

Hands fly tying Bob Pop sand flea pattern with peach and pink marabou feathers on hook beside vise

We’re using saddle hackle in three different colors for the Sand Flea’s body. Strip the fibers from the three feather’s tip sections, then stack them on top of each other.

Step Three

Pale pink and tan feathered sand flea pattern fly tied on a hook in a vise, close fly tying detail

Next, tie the feathers by the tip with the flowy section pointing toward you, then clip the forward-facing excess material.

Step Four

Pink marabou sand flea fly tied on curved hook, fluffy feather body for fly fishing

After securing the hackles, palmer the feathers forward with overlapping turns, then secure them three-fourths up the shank. Be sure to clip the excess material, then cover the rough patches with thread.

Step Five

Pink and tan marabou sand flea fly tied on hook in vise with thread being wrapped, fly fishing pattern

We are now moving onto the Sand Flea’s legs. Tie on the silicone leg on the shank’s side nearest you, with the rearward-facing piece extending past the feathers.

Step Six

Pink marabou sand flea fly tied on hook in vise, fluffy feather body and pale thread, close-up fly fishing pattern

Finish the legs by folding the forward-facing silicone material over to the shank’s opposite sides and tighten it with figure-eight wraps. Be sure to trim the legs, so both are the same length before moving on.

Step Seven

Pale pink and white marabou feathers tied to a hook for sand flea pattern, fly tying close-up

Like the first saddle hackle grouping, remove the fibers from the tip ends of two feathers, stack them on one another, and then secure them on the shank’s side nearest you.

Step Eight

Pink and tan marabou sand flea fly with fluffy feather body tied on hook in vise, fly fishing pattern

After trimming the feather’s stems, turn the fibers three times around the shank, then clip the extra material.

Step Nine

Fluffy tan and pale pink marabou sand flea fly pattern tied on hook for fly fishing

We’re now tying on the Sand Flea’s next round of legs, and it’s the same process as the first set. Secure the legs in front of the hackle we tied on the previous step. Fold the silicone material on the shank’s opposite side and secure it with figure-eight wraps.

Step Ten

Beige and cream marabou Sand Flea fly pattern tied on hook in vise, close-up for fly tying tutorial

The pattern’s mole crab shape should be more prominent after tying on the final set of three feathers by the tip and above the previously tied legs.

Step Eleven

Close-up sand flea fly pattern: tan and pink marabou tail with bright orange dumbbell eyes on hook, fly fishing

Before wrapping the feathers up the shank, secure the dumbbell eyes by making figure-eight wraps on the shank’s bottom and in front of the feathers.

Step Twelve

Tan and pink marabou sand flea fly with red beadhead and white eyes, fluffy feather pattern for fly fishing

Wrap the final grouping of feathers forward and break the excess fibers at the eye.

Step Thirteen

Fluffy beige and pink marabou sand flea fly with bright orange bead eyes and black pupils on a hook, fly fishing pattern

Secure the last set of legs in from of the previously tied feathers.

Step Fourteen

Beige-pink marabou sand flea fly with orange bead eyes on hook in vise, fly fishing tying pattern

The final material is a mallard flank feather. Tie the feather on by the tip at the eye. The flowy section should be positioned right past the hook’s bend.

Step Fifteen

Close-up sand flea fly with pale tan and pink marabou, red bead eyes and jig hook held in vise, fly fishing pattern

Complete a whip finish, and the Sand Flea is ready to hit the water.

Written by

Stephen D' Angelo

Stephen D'Angelo is a fly fishing expert with a passion for fly tying, gear, and time on the water. From small-stream trout to saltwater flats fishing, Stephen brings hands-on experience across a wide range of species and scenarios — and he's always happy to help you find the right setup for your next adventure.

Comments

(2)

Sam

Jan 5, 2026

I like the sand flea fly and will try it this coming season, do you fish it with a sinking line

Ron Gray