This guide focuses on befriending Willy, the kindly fisherman in Stardew Valley. He's a valuable contact, offering fishing supplies and crucial early-game assistance. Building a strong friendship with him unlocks significant benefits.
Befriending Willy is straightforward, primarily achieved through gifting. Locate him at his shop (weekdays), fishing (Saturdays), or at the Stardrop Saloon/beach/river (evenings). Remember his birthday, Summer 24th, when gifts have an 8x friendship boost.
Gift Guide
Loved Gifts (+80 Friendship): These are the most effective gifts.
- Fish: Catfish
, Octopus 
, Sea Cucumber 
, Sturgeon 
- Books: Jewels of the Sea
, The Art O' Crabbing 
- Mead:
(Made with Honey in a Keg) - Gold Bar:
(From Gold Ore in a Furnace) - Iridium Bar:
(From Iridium Ore in a Furnace) - Diamond:
(Found in Mines) - Pumpkin:
(Grown in Fall) - All universally loved gifts.
Liked Gifts (+45 Friendship): Good alternatives to Loved gifts.
- Cooked fish dishes (excluding Dish O' the Sea, Sashimi, Maki Roll – he's neutral to these).
- 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 to most fish not listed above).
Quests: Willy occasionally posts requests on the bulletin board. Completing these earns gold and a significant friendship boost (150 points). He also sends two letters challenging you to catch specific fish (Squid and Lingcod), rewarding friendship hearts upon success.
Friendship Perks: Reaching higher friendship levels unlocks four unique recipes from Willy, each providing fishing buffs: Chowder (+1), Escargot (+2), Fish Stew (+3), and Lobster Bisque (+3 & +30 max energy).
