Willy

Willy is a villager who grew up traveling among the Fern Islands and now lives south of Pelican Town on The Beach. He runs the Fish Shop, where he sells bait and fishing supplies, and he usually spends the early morning fishing outside before opening the counter at 9:00 AM. On most days his shop closes at 5:00 PM, after which he often goes to the Stardrop Saloon. His shop is open every day, but it is closed on Saturday when the weather is good enough for him to go fishing instead.

Willy’s routine changes with the season and weather. In winter he still spends most mornings at the beach and often visits the saloon after work. On rainy Saturdays he stays open, but on dry Saturdays he leaves town to fish by Leah’s cottage and in Pelican Town. He also appears at several festivals and special events, including the Desert Festival, Trout Derby, SquidFest, and the Night Market. During Green Rain in year 1, he stays in the Stardrop Saloon all day.

He is closely tied to fishing-related content throughout the game. Willy gives the player the Bamboo Pole in the early “To The Beach” quest, and later sends mail quests for specific catches and deliveries. He may also request fish through the Help Wanted board, and he can post Special Orders such as “Juicy Bugs Wanted!” and “Tropical Fish.” Completing these tasks can unlock rewards like the Quality Bobber recipe, a Deluxe Fish Tank, or access to additional shop stock.

Willy is friendly with Elliott, who lives nearby on the beach, and he is often seen with Clint at the saloon in the evenings. He also ferries other villagers to and from Ginger Island, although he never visits the Beach Resort himself.

Like other villagers, Willy has favored gifts and event-related reactions. He loves items such as Gold Bar, Iridium Bar, Diamond, Catfish, Octopus, Sea Cucumber, Sturgeon, Mead, Pumpkin, and several fishing and book-related gifts, including Jewels Of The Sea and The Art O’ Crabbing. He likes many cooked fish dishes and fishing-related items such as Bait And Bobber, Coffee, Baked Fish, Chowder, Crab Cakes, Escargot, Fish Taco, Fried Calamari, Fried Eel, Lingcod, Salmon Dinner, Seafoam Pudding, Tiger Trout, and Trout Soup. He is neutral toward Maki Roll and Sashimi, dislikes most wild forage and most cooked food, and hates most universal hate gifts except Seafoam Pudding.

Reaching friendship milestones with Willy unlocks recipes by mail: Chowder at 3 hearts, Escargot at 5 hearts, Fish Stew at 7 hearts, and Lobster Bisque at 9 hearts. At 6 hearts, a beach cutscene involving crabs can trigger, leading to Gus selling Crab Cakes at the saloon for several days. He also has special dialogue for many festivals, fishing achievements, and seasonal events.