Selling Flies
Create clear, purchase-ready listings for individual patterns and variations. This guide covers simple products, variable products, pricing, optional photos, inventory, and per-product shipping information.
1. Choose simple or variable
| Use a simple product when… | Use a variable product when… |
|---|---|
| The listing has one size, color, quantity, and price. | The same fly is available in multiple sizes, colors, or box quantities. |
| Every buyer receives the same configuration. | The buyer must choose options before adding the item to the cart. |
| One stock count is enough. | Options need their own prices or stock counts. |
Example
Instead of separate simple products named “Elk Hair Caddis Size 12,” “Elk Hair Caddis Size 14,” and “Elk Hair Caddis Size 16,” create one Elk Hair Caddis variable product with a Size attribute containing 12, 14, and 16.
2. Prepare the listing details
- Product name and fly pattern
- Short description and full description
- Category and relevant tags
- Available sizes, colors, and box quantities
- Regular price, and sale price if applicable
- Stock quantity or availability plan
- Weight and package dimensions
- Shipping class if provided
- One clear photo if available
3. Create a simple fly product
Start a product
In the Vendor Dashboard, open Products and choose Add Product.
Name and describe the fly
Use a specific, readable name such as “Blue-Winged Olive Parachute — Size 18.” In the description, cover intended species, water or hatch, materials or tying style, and exactly what is included.
Select Simple product
Choose Simple product in the product type field. Leave Virtual unchecked because flies are physical goods that require shipping.
Enter price and stock
Add the regular price. If inventory tracking is enabled, add a stock quantity and a unique SKU.
Add photo and shipping data
A picture is optional, but strongly recommended. Enter accurate packaged weight, dimensions, and shipping class where available.
Review and submit
Preview the listing, confirm the quantity statement, and submit it for review or publish it if your account has publishing permission.
4. Create a variable fly product
Create the base product
Add the product name, descriptions, category, and main image. Keep the name broad enough to cover every option, such as “Woolly Bugger.”
Select Variable product
Change the product type from Simple to Variable product. This reveals Attributes and Variations controls.
Add attributes
Create only the choices customers need: for example Size, Color, and Quantity. Mark each customer-selectable attribute as Used for variations.
Create variations
Generate variations from the attributes or add them individually. Remove combinations you do not sell.
Complete every variation
At minimum, set a price for each enabled variation. Add stock, SKU, image, weight, or dimensions when those values differ.
Test the choices
Preview the product and select each combination. Confirm the displayed price, availability, image, and Add to cart button behave correctly.
5. Use attributes instead of duplicate products
Attributes describe the choices available within one fly listing. Use plain labels customers understand.
| Attribute | Example values | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6, 8, 10, 12 | The same pattern is tied on different hook sizes. |
| Color | Olive, Black, Brown | The same pattern is offered in multiple colorways. |
| Quantity / Box Size | 6 flies, 12 flies, 24 flies | The customer chooses how many matching flies to receive. |
Recommended naming
- Use Quantity or Box Size, not both, unless they mean different things.
- Write values consistently: “12 flies,” not a mix of “12,” “Dozen,” and “Box 12.”
- Do not use an attribute for information the customer cannot choose. Put fixed details in the description.
6. Set prices and stock
Simple product
Enter one regular price for the item or stated package. If you use a sale price, ensure the dates and discount are accurate.
Variable product
Each enabled variation needs a price. WooCommerce does not treat the parent product’s empty price as a price for every variation. Use different prices when materials, tying time, hook size, or box quantity justify it.
| Variation | Example price logic | Inventory |
|---|---|---|
| Size 12 / Olive / 6 flies | Base pack price | Track this combination if inventory is pre-tied. |
| Size 12 / Olive / 12 flies | Higher package price; optional volume value | Track separately if boxed in advance. |
| Size 6 / Black / 6 flies | May cost more for larger hooks/materials | Use its own SKU for easier fulfillment. |
WBUG-BLK-08-12 for Woolly Bugger, black, size 8, quantity 12. A SKU should be unique to one sellable variation.7. Add product pictures
Product pictures are optional if the form allows the listing to be submitted without one, but a sharp, honest image gives customers confidence and reduces confusion.
Main image
Show the full fly clearly against a simple background. Crop tightly enough that hook shape, profile, and materials are visible.
Gallery images
If available, add a side view, top view, scale reference, packaging view, or color comparison.
- Use your own photos and show the product the buyer will receive.
- Use natural or even light; avoid strong filters.
- Do not place important text at the image edges.
- For a variable product, add variation images only when the option looks materially different.
8. Set shipping information per product
Shipping data belongs to the product because different items can have different packaged weight, dimensions, and handling needs. The marketplace uses this data with its configured shipping methods and rates.
Confirm it is physical
Do not mark a fly product as Virtual. Virtual products skip physical shipping fields.
Enter packaged weight
Weigh the complete shipment unit—not just one fly. Include the fly box or sleeve, protective material, and mailer when the field expects shipping weight.
Enter packaged dimensions
Use the final package length, width, and height in the units shown by the dashboard.
Select a shipping class
If Two Guys Flies provides shipping classes, choose the class that matches the product. A shipping class helps group products for rate rules; it is not itself a carrier service.
Check variation overrides
For variable products, leave variation weight and dimensions blank to inherit the parent values. Enter variation-specific values only when that option ships differently.
9. Review and submit
- The product name identifies the pattern clearly.
- The description states exactly how many flies the customer receives.
- Simple or Variable is selected correctly.
- Every enabled variation has a price.
- Only available combinations are enabled.
- Stock and SKU values are accurate where used.
- Photo matches the product and variation.
- Packaged weight, dimensions, and shipping class are complete.
- Preview works on mobile and every variation can be selected.
10. Official resources
- WC Vendors: Vendor Product Management
- WC Vendors: Product Management Overview
- WooCommerce: Adding and Managing Products
- WooCommerce: Add a Simple Product
- WooCommerce: Variable Products
- WooCommerce: Product Shipping Classes
The Two Guys Flies Vendor Dashboard may show a simplified or customized version of these screens. Use the official guides for concepts and the marketplace fields for the actual workflow.