__
                                                        |  |
 ___     _____      _____     _____    __               |  |
|   |   / ___ \    / ___ \   / ___ \  |  |____    _____ |  |
|   |  | /___\ |  | /___\ | | /___\ | |   __  \  /  __ \|  |
|   |  \   ____/  \___   /  \   ____/ |  /  \  | | /  \    |
|   |   \  \___   _   |  |   \  \___  |  |  |  | | \__/    |
|   |    \_____/ | |  |  |    \_____/ |__|  |__| \_____/|__|
|   |            | |__/  / __
|   |_____       \______/ /  \    |   |
|         |               |       |   |     
|_________|          __  ---    ----- | __   __
                    /  \  |       |   |/  \ |__|
                    \__/  |       |   |   | \__
 ________
/   __   \
|  /  \  |    _
|  \__/  |   |_|                _____    __  ____
|       _/    _   __       __  / ___ \  |  |/ _  \
|   __  \    | |  \ \     / / | /___\ | |   _/ \_| |       | 
|  |  \  \   | |   \ \   / /  \   ____/ |  |       |\     /\_
|  |   \  \  | |    \ \_/ /    \  \___  |  |      _| \   / |_|
|__|    \__\ |_|     \___/      \_____/ |__|     / /  \ /   |
                                                / /    |    |
 __     __                                     / /        \_|
|  |   /  /                                   / /           
|  |  /  /                                   / /
|  | /  /    _                              / /
|  |/  /    |_|  __          _____         / /
|     |      _  |  |____    / ___ \       / /
|  |\  \    | | |   _   \  | /___\ |     / /
|  | \  \   | | |  /  \  | \___   /     / /
|  |  \  \  | | |  |  |  | _   |  |  -|/ /
|__|   \__\ |_| |__|  |__|| |  |  |   / /
                          | |__/  /  / /
                          \______/  /_/


Version History:
(V1.5) 6\20\00
Well, I'm back and more edgy, as my new SHAMELESS PROMOTION section 
says.  That's right!! It's finally here!! Oh yeah, I've also added some 
new questions to the FAQ section, mostly about new fish added in the DX 
version.

(V1.4) 4\9\00
I added some things to the 'Credits' section, namely a few of my Screen 
names for the purposes of getting help on the 'net.  I'm afraid this 
may be the last update.  *Sob* *Sob*.  I'm going to miss writing this 
FAQ, but from it will spring new FAQ life.  Now I will have time to 
work on another FAQ\Walkthrough.  Someday, maybe even enough to warrant 
a 'Shameless Promotion' section.  (Right now, I've only written this 
and one on Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome)

(V1.3) 3\19\00
I got an E-mail yesterday asking me an incoherent and vague question.  
While it took me a few moments to understand it, I realized what the 
question was asking.  In response, I have added a new section about the 
types of bait and hook sizes that work best with individual fish.  I 
also added WWW.ABOUT.COM to the list of sites that can use this 
FAQ\walkthrough.

(V1.2) 3\6\00
Yes, I do have a life, but I'm just trying to get my FAQ\walthrough 
finished in as little time as possible.  I have fixed some spacing 
issues and added some things to the credits section (who can display it 
on their websites).  Added a section describing Fun Lake in the 
walkthrough, some FAQ, and described the lure rod in more detail.

(V1.1) 3\5\00
I found out about how to catch the Guardian about two minutes after 
sending V1.0 to gamefaqs.com (someday, we'll be able to laugh about 
this).  Added new sections about e-mailing me.  Finally got some 
questions for FAQ section.  By the way, my bad about calling it 
complete.

(V1.0) 3\4\00
This is my very first FAQ\walkthrough ever! Thus far, the only thing 
missing from my FAQ is the actual process of catching The Guardian.  If 
anyone reading this knows, please e-mail me about it.  (See 'credits' 
for my address)

Contents:
1: Story
2: Controls
3: Walkthrough
4: Raise Mode
5: Rods, Items, etc.
6: Fish Bait Hook Chart
7: Enemies
8: FAQ
9: Hints, Tips, and Secrets
10: Shameless Self Glorification
11: Credits

1: Story
You wake up one morning to find your sister dangerously ill and your 
mother frantic.  She then tells you a legend she heard of a magical 
fish that can cure any disease.  You, without a thought, go out in 
search of the fish known as The Guardian.

2: Controls
D-pad: Moves your character about the screen.  Controls direction when 
casting.  Speak to NPCs by walking up to them.  Move through menus.

A button: Reel in fish.  Make selections in menus.

B button: Controls casting (hold longer for longer distance).  Exits 
menus.

Start: Pauses \ unpauses game.

Select: Toggles between fishing and walking.

3: Walkthrough

Note: Any bait, lure and fly specifications are just suggestions.  Most 
fish will bite at anything, but choosing these makes the game go 
faster.  Also note that the bridges in the DX version are not 
mentioned.  That is because I bought the regular version last summer 
(aren't I stupid?).

Area 1: Torrent

  1: The Raft Master
Just before you exit your house, your mother will give you a charm.  
Once you leave, head west and speak to the man.  He will ask for some 
rainbow trout.  Rainbow trout will respond to worms, grubs, larva, 
small fish, frogs, and dough balls, though you will have the best luck 
(I think) with larva.  Use a medium or large hook.  Alternately, you 
can use any lure but a crank bait, and Caddis fly w\d or stonefly w.  
You can find the trout across the eastern bridge, and to the east.  If 
you catch a Char, head slightly west.  If you catch a Trout, head 
slightly east.  When you finally catch a rainbow trout, return to the 
raft master's location.  He will ask you to pick up his lunch.

  2: Cutthroat Trout for Lunch
When you go to pick up his lunch (in the house across the bridge) his 
niece will ask you for a cutthroat trout.  They can be found by going 
as far to the west as possible.  They will respond to worms, insects, 
larva (the best), and small fish with small or medium hooks.  For flies 
and lures, Spinners, minnows, worms and spoons work as lures and mayfly 
w\d, caddisfly w\d, diptera w, and stonefly w, work well as flies.  As 
soon as you return with the cutthroat trout, talk to the raft master.

  3: Torrent wrap-up
Now that you have the raft, you can fish in the middle of the water.  
Just be aware that moving about in the raft costs HP, so be careful. 
Stock up on rice balls, but don't buy a larger pale yet.  Also try to 
catch some rainbow trout to buy a lure rod or fly rod, but the casting 
rod is a waste of money.  I suggest you buy a fly rod and a Stonefly w 
fly.  Also, do not shy away from any battles here, you will need the 
experience soon.  When you are done, go west and flow down the current.

Area 2: Lake One

  4: The Raft Master's Protégé
As soon as you enter Lake One, you crash into a rock.  Luckily, a 
student of the Raft Master is nearby, and he offers to fix it.  
Temporarily stranded, talk to the people in the village.

  5: The River King vs. Some Brown Bear we picked out of a crowd
First of all, trade the charm your mother gave you for the teacup.  
Soon, you will hear about a bear terrorizing the village.  It's time to 
go south across two enemy-infested bridges, then slightly west.  Just 
keep walking around between the borders of the two forests, and in no 
time, you'll run into the big guy (bear).  Don't worry though, he's not 
that tough.  Just punch him on the head a few times, and he's down.  
Then you can return triumphantly to the town.

  6: The Miner Who Liked Three-spined Stickleback
Talk to the student.  He will tell you that, in lieu of repairing your 
old one, he has built you a new raft.  Now, head quickly to the 
southeast corner of the map.  Talk to the man in the house who will ask 
for Three-spined Stickleback.  The best place to find them is in the 
reeds next to the village, so you're in for some legwork.  TS 
Stickleback are partial to Larva, with small hooks, no lures, mayfly 
w\d (the best) diptera w, and stonefly w.  Now, return with fish in 
hand and you will receive a pickaxe.  

  7: An Unnecessary Reason to Give Away Smelt (optional)
To the north of the miner's house is a small island with a boy and the 
mapmaker.  The mapmaker will ask for Smelt.  You can find them around 
the first of the two bridges south of town.  To catch them use grubs or 
red larva with a small hook, a spinner lure or mayfly w\d, diptera w, 
or stonefly w.  Note that I'm bitter about having to write this 
section, just so people can say, "I finished the _whole_ game, minus of 
course figuring out anything even remotely considered a puzzle".  Also 
note that I'm only insulting people I have just described.  There is 
nothing wrong with using a FAQ\Walkthrough.

  8: Lake 1 Wrap Up
Go to the Island just north of the miner's house and use the pickaxe on 
the spot two spaces east of the mapmaker.  Now, you can either move on 
to Stream or try to make some money and stock up.  If you want some 
quick cash, fish around the waterfall to the east of the village for 
brown trout.  Once again, hold off on buying a larger pale.

Area 3: Stream

  9: And, You're in the Water… Why?
Upon exiting the cave, surprise, surprise, you're in another village.  
There isn't anything really important in the village, so only rest and 
stock up on supplies.  When you're done, head east and you'll see a man 
in the water.  He will give you a rod, for free! (Is there a smiley 
that means sarcasm?) 

  10: Charcoal, Ayu, and Money
If you float southeast, you will soon come upon another landmass.  Once 
there, talk to the man and exchange your teacup for charcoal.  Then, on 
the eastern half of the landmass, catch several Ayu.  Go north, and 
talk to a sleeping man on the next landmass.  He will take an Ayu.  
Then head back to the area with the Ayu and talk to the nearby man.  He 
will pay you 60 (yen?) for each Ayu you bring to him.  Cha-ching!

  11: Palest, Fattest, Chub
Further down the coast on the western half of the landmass, you will 
run into a little girl, who will ask for a pale chub.  These can be 
found near the man you traded your teacup to.  Pale Chub are especially 
tantalized by grubs, insects, red larva, larva, and dough balls with 
small hooks, spinner and worm lures, and mayfly w\d, caddisfly w, 
diptera w, and stonefly w.  It will need to be fairly large.  
Generally, if it sets a record, it is large enough.  

  12: Stream Wrap Up
Go south and talk to the dam master.  At first, he refuses to let you 
through, but after some intervention by his daughter (isn't the English 
translation great?) he opens the gates.  The only thing to do here is 
sell all the Ayu you have caught.  You can buy a larger bucket at the 
next town.

Area 4: Lake 2

  13: Give some Gudgeons the Axe
Head straight for the village in the northeast section of the map.  Now 
you can finally buy the large bucket you've been dying to.  After you 
rest and stock up, cross the short bridge near the two people that 
"know about The Guardian" and fish in the small pond to the west of the 
bridge.  There, catch two slender gudgeon, maybe more for good measure.  
Slender Gudgeon enjoy worms, larva, red larva, and dough balls with 
small hooks, spinner and worm lures, and all wet lures.  Then, leave 
the village by raft and head west.  There will be two peninsulas, head 
for the lower of the two.  Then fish off the southern side for willow 
gudgeon.  They like worm, grub, red larva, and dough balls with small 
hooks, spinner and worm lures, and caddisfly and stonefly wet lures.  
With both, stonefly w works best.  When you have at least one of each, 
go north along the coastline to the area near the northern peninsula.  
Look for a man.  He will give you an axe for your two fish.

  14: Helping people is fun!
On a dock north of the village, there is a guy who wants klifish. Catch 
them, and he will give you a free rod.  Go back to the Stream section 
and help the man near the guy that buys Ayu, then, back in Lake 2, help 
the man on the cliff.  Finally, head south along the path to the 
restaurant.  Talk to the woman there and give her your charcoal for her 
wind chime.

  15: Lake 2 Wrap Up
All there really is to do is go back to Stream the same way you came.

Area 5: Stream Revisited

  16: The Secret Pond
Go to the Western landmass.  Eventually, you will come across a tree 
with one stone above and one below it.  Use the axe.  Now you have 
access to a pond filled with the largest fishes in the game, Common 
Carp.  Ring (use) the wind-chime to make the guardian appear.  To catch 
the guardian you must, *_MUST_* use a large hook and a dough ball and 
cast in the middle of the secret pond.  Sit back and enjoy the 
cutscene.  

Area 6: Fun Lake
  17: There is no purpose to fun lake, just have fun.  My advice is to 
just take out a wet stonefly fly or worm lure and let the current take 
you around the lake.

4: Raise Mode
This is a little tamagotchi-like minigame.  It is completely added on 
and useless.  Still, it is a little fun, so who cares.  The way it 
works is that as your fish grows, it becomes another fish.  The type of 
fish it becomes depends on many factors.  First, there are the tank's 
conditions.  Sand or pebble bottom, current or none, etc.  Second, it 
depends on the type of fish it was to begin with.  A three spined 
gudgeon, for example, will never become a perch, that's just how it 
works.  Finally, the type of food you feed it will have the most 
profound impact.  There are six 'stages'.  For example, here is the 
ladder for a three-spined stickleback to become a rainbow trout:
1 TS stickleback + 40% worm diet = sculpin
2 Sculpin + 70% larva = dark chub
3 DC + 20% worm 20%larva = blue gill
4 BG + 25% worm 25% larva 25% small fish 10% frog = black bass
5 BB + 20% of: worm insect larva and small fish = Rainbow trout

5: Rods, Items, Etc.

  1: Rods

Float rod: Line fixed to a long pole.  Uses bait and hooks.  Can use 
either floater or sinker.  With sinker, bait does not float down 
current.

Casting Rod: same a float rod, but with more distance.

Lure Rod: Similar to float or casting rod, but no bait is used, and it 
automatically floats.  Must attract fish in order to begin reeling it 
in (once the 'fish cam' mode starts, hold down 'a' to attract the fish 
to your lure).  Lures break easily.  You can adjust a lure's position 
in the water by reeling it in partially.

Fly Rod: Allows you to reel the 'bait' (a fly) in without bringing it 
completely in.  Floats in current.  Flies are not easily lost.

  2: Items

Pail: Keep fish in it.  The smallest holds four fish, the largest holds 
sixteen.

Net: Used to catch bait for free.

Chumming: All fish in the area return to their original areas.

  3: Meals

Orange: regain 10 HP

Rice Ball: regain 25 HP

Lunch: regain 40 HP

  4: Quest Items

Raft: get in Torrent, used to move through water

Charm: Traded for Teacup in Lake 1

Teacup: Traded for Charcoal in Stream

Charcoal: Traded for wind-chime in Lake 2

Wind-Chime: Used outside secret pond to awaken The Guardian

Pickaxe: used to break open cave and gain access to Stream

Axe: Used to cut down the tree blocking the secret pond

  5: Town Buildings

Fish Market: Sell fish here

Item Shop: Contains most items and tackle

Inn: used to regain HP; you appear here after you have lost all energy

Save Point: Used to save game, quit game and check on raise status

6:Fish Bait and Hook Chart
The first group of fish are found in Torrent, the second in Lake 1, 
etc.  Many other things will work as well, but I have found these to be 
the best.  If you think I have the wrong tackle down here, please e-
mail me, and I'll fix it right away.  (that would fall under valid 
criticism)
                     Hook     Bait        Lure          Fly
Bullhead             S        Larva*      Spinner       Mayfly W
Char                 S\M      Larva       Worm          Stonefly W
Cutthroat Trout      S\M      Worm        Spinner       Stonefly W
Gila Trout           M\L      Larva       Spinner       Stonefly W
Rainbow Trout        M\L      Larva       Worm          Stonefly W
Trout                S\M      Small Fish  Spinner       Stonefly W
Best:                 -       Larva       Spinner       Stonefly W

Black Bass           All      Larva       Spinner       Stonefly W
Blue Gill            S\M      Worm        Worm          Stonefly W
Brown Trout          M\L      Larva       Spinner       Stonefly W
Darter               S        Worm*       Spoon         Stonefly W
Golden Trout         M\L      R. Larva    Spinner       Stonefly W
Lake Trout           M        Small Fish  Spinner       Stonefly W
Minnow               S\M      Larva       Spinner Bait  Stonefly W
Smelt                S        Grub        Spinner*      Stonefly W
3-Spined Stickleback S        Larva*      None          Stonefly W
Best:                 -       None        Spinner       Stonefly W

Ayu                  S\M      Insect      Spinner       Stonefly W
Bitterling           S        Red Larva   Spinner       Stonefly W
Common Carp          M\L      Dough Ball  Minnow        Stonefly W
Dace                 S\M      Frog        Frog          Stonefly W
Dark Chub            S        Larva*      Spinner       Stonefly W
Guardian             L        Dough Ball** None         None
Pale Chub            S        Larva       Worm          Stonefly W
Roughskin Sculpin    S        Small Fish  Worm*         Stonefly W
Rudd                 S\M      Larva       Minnow        Stonefly W 
Salmon               S\M      Insect      Spinner       Stonefly W
Sculpin              S        Larva       Spinner       Stonefly W
Best                  -       None        Spinner       Stonefly W

Carp                 S\M      Worm        Spinner       Stonefly W
Catfish              M\L      Small Fish  Crank Bait    Stonefly W
Crucian              S        R. Larva    Spinner       Stonefly W
Eel                  L        Small Fish  Spoon         None
Golden Carp          S        Worm        Worm          Stonefly W 
Klifish              S        R. Larva*   None          Stonefly W
Loach                S        Worm        Spinner       Stonefly W
Perch                S        Larva       Minnow        Stonefly W
9-Spine Stickleback  S        Grub        None          Stonefly W
Shrimp               S        Worm*       Worm*         None
Slender Gudgeon      S        Worm        Spinner       Stonefly W
Snakehead            L        Frog        Hopper        Stonefly W
Topmouth Gudgeon     S        Worm        Worm          Stonefly W
Willow Gudgeon       S        Grub        Spinner       Stonefly W
Best                 -        Worm        Spinner       Stonefly W

* This is the only type that will attract fish especially well
** This is the only type that will attract this fish at all.  There is 
nothing else

7:Enemies

                  HP         WP                 EXP
Spider            12         head               2
Poisonous Spider  20         Head               3
Bat               22         ear                3
Lynx              28         Face               3
Bee               34         face               5
Crow              35         beak               4
Demoncat          35         face               5
Vampire           40         ear                5
Snake             40         head               7
Monkey            45         face               6
Eagle             45         beak               7
Brown Bear        52         face               9
Black Monkey      56         face               11
Wasp              58         face               8
Viper             60         head               9
Bear              68         face               12

Damage is decided entirely by remaining HP.

8: FAQ
Q. How do I catch The Guardian?
A. You must use a large hook and dough ball for bait.  Then, cast in 
the center of the secret pond.

Q. Every time I try to reel in a fish, it just hunches up and I hear an 
annoying beep.  What's wrong?
A. You have to wait for the fish to stop moving completely.  Then reel 
it in.

Q. Can you be attacked at Fun Lake?
A. No.  That's it.  No.  I really should just skip this question.  I 
might delete it in the next update, if some reader makes it worth my 
while…

Q. I've caught every single fish, and it told me that fun lake 
appeared.  How do I get there?
A. Sleep at an inn.  During the night you will appear at the inn there.

Q. I tried to trade the charcoal, but the woman won't take it.  Why?
A. You must help her husband and son.  One is back in the stream 
section, near the 'uncle' (I can't get over how good the translation of 
this game is!) who buys Ayu.  The other is above the city in Lake 2, on 
a dock.

Q. I caught a fish that isn't mentioned in your fish guide!! What is 
it?
A. Like I said, I don't have the 'DX' version of the game and there are 
several fish that I can't catch.  My advice is to try the 'Best Bet' 
for that area, and hope it works.  If you find some, please e-mail me 
and tell me about them.

9: Hints, Tips and Secrets

First of all, always use the fly rod and wet stonefly fly or the lure 
rod and spinner lure, there are only three fish that can resist the 
stonefly, and 5 that can resist the worm.

In Torrent and Lake 1, the best bait is by far larva.  

Don't waste money on the casting rod, just save up for the fly rod.  

If you are ever running low on cash, just catch some Ayu and sell them 
to the guy in Stream.

There is only one 'secret' it the game: Fun Lake, the fifth area.  
There is at least one of each fish species there.  To get to it, catch 
one of each fish in the game, including the guardian.  Sleep at any 
inn.  You will wake up at Fun Lake.  To exit, sleep at the inn there.

To hear music while fishing, cast your line into the water, and then 
bring up the 'a' button menu.  Go to tools and select memo.  Exit from 
'memo' and you will hear music.

10: Shameless Self Glorification
Not only am I less lazy and more witty than you, but I can also best 
you in contests of either skill OR luck.  I feel good about myself now.
Other FAQs by me:
Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome (PC)
Harvest Moon (GBC)

11: Credits
First of all, let me thank "NINTENDO POWER MAGAZINE" for helping me get 
through the game the first time, and for the 'ladder' in the raise 
section.

Second, let me thank gamesages.com for the 'fun lake' and 'sound while 
fishing' secrets

Finally I'd like to thank gamefaqs.com for giving me the chance to 
start writing FAQs, and for the wide usage that led it to be posted on 
so many other sites.

Of course I'd like to thank ME for taking an entire day out of my life 
to write this FAQ, in one sitting.  (+ updates)

Sorry, I forgot about Pepperidge Farm, for the portable snacks that can 
get anyone through the day.

Reasons to e-mail me:
1: You have a question not answered anywhere in the FAQ.
2: You like my work and would like to give me 'props'.
3: You have a VALID criticism.  (if it is invalid, I have some methods 
of vengeance that aren't ethical, but incredibly legal)
4: You would like to place my FAQ on your WebPage.
5: You are sending me some chain letter because you have no friends to 
send it to.  (Remember those methods?)

*NOTE* If you are choosing to e-mail me for any reason, please make it 
coherent.  I beg of you.  From now on, if I receive anything that I 
can't understand, I will simply send you a reply saying to be more 
understandable \ less vague.  Understand that abbreviations and grammar 
mistakes are fine (e.g. you = u; ur = your etc.).  Also, understand 
that I'm only asking this to better answer your questions.

By The Jaguar
Send questions\comments to reod_dai_2000@yahoo.com or ask them online at 
'reod dai 2000', 'reod_dai_2000', and 'jaguar586' at AIM, Yahoo! 
Instant Messenger and Microsoft Network Instant Messenger, respectively 
©Wil Cerbone, 2000                       _______
Only GameFAQs.com, Gamesages.com*       |\.  . /|
and any other sites to whom I give      |_\ . /_|
express e-written consent may           | /\ /\ |
display this FAQ\walthrough             |/__|__\|
*Also about.com and dlh.net… yadah, yadah, yadah.

This FAQ may not be reproduced in any way shape or form, be it 
technological, on paper or otherwise.  This includes The Envelope Guy, 
contrary to what others may think.