Befriend the Angler: Willy's Guide to Valley Amity

This guide delves into befriending Willy, the amiable fisherman in Stardew Valley. He's a key early contact, providing your initial fishing rod and ongoing supplies. Building a friendship with him offers significant benefits.

Updated January 4, 2025: This guide reflects the 1.6 update, including new book gifts.

Gifting Willy:

Find Willy at his shop (most weekdays), fishing (Saturdays), or at the Stardrop Saloon/beach/river (evenings). His birthday is Summer 24 (gifts given then have 8x the friendship boost).

Loved Gifts (+80 Friendship):

These are top choices for maximizing friendship gains.

• Fish: Catfish, Octopus, Sea Cucumber, Sturgeon
• Books: Jewels of the Sea, The Art O' Crabbing
• Mead (Honey in a Keg)
• Gold Bar (Gold Ore in Furnace)
• Iridium Bar (Iridium Ore in Furnace)
• Diamond
• Pumpkin (Fall crop)
• All universally loved gifts

Liked Gifts (+45 Friendship):

Good alternatives if loved gifts are scarce.

• Fish-based cooked dishes (excluding Dish O' the Sea, Sashimi, Maki Roll – he's neutral to these).
• Fish: Lingcod, Tiger Trout
• Quartz
• Bait and Bobber

Disliked & Hated Gifts:

Avoid these to prevent friendship loss.

• Foraged goods
• Non-fish-based cooked dishes
• Life Elixir
• Universally disliked/hated gifts (except fish – Willy is neutral towards most fish outside of Liked/Loved categories).

Quests (+150 Friendship):

Willy posts requests on the "Help Wanted" board. Completing them rewards gold and a significant friendship boost. He also sends two letters with fishing challenges (Squid – Winter 2, Year 1; Lingcod – Winter 13, Year 2).

Friendship Perks:

Reaching friendship levels unlocks unique recipes from Willy, each providing fishing buffs:

• 3 Hearts: Chowder (+1 Fishing)
• 5 Hearts: Escargot (+2 Fishing)
• 7 Hearts: Fish Stew (+3 Fishing)
• 9 Hearts: Lobster Bisque (+3 Fishing, +30 Max Energy)