This guide focuses on befriending Willy, the kind fisherman in Stardew Valley. He's a valuable early connection, providing fishing supplies and a fishing rod. Befriending him offers significant advantages.
Building a friendship with Willy is straightforward. Find him at his shop (most weekdays), fishing (Saturdays), or at the Stardrop Saloon/beach/river (evenings). Gifts significantly boost friendship, especially on his birthday (Summer 24 – gifts have 8x the effect).
Gift Guide
Loved Gifts (+80 Friendship): These are the best options.
- 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: (Mines)
- Pumpkin: (Fall crop)
- All universally loved gifts.
Liked Gifts (+45 Friendship): Good alternatives if loved gifts are scarce.
- Cooked fish 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
- Cooked dishes (without fish)
- Life Elixir
- Universally disliked/hated gifts (except fish – he's neutral towards most fish not listed above).
Quests: Completing Willy's requests on the bulletin board rewards gold and 150 friendship points. He also sends two letters with fishing challenges (Squid – Winter 2, Year 1; Lingcod – Winter 13, Year 2). 
Friendship Perks: Reaching friendship levels unlocks fishing buff recipes:
- 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)
