Fishing Contest OSRS Guide

Fishing Contest OSRS Guide

The Fishing Contest quest in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a novice-level quest that offers a fun and quick way to gain Fishing experience and unlock a useful shortcut under White Wolf Mountain. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough, tips for efficiency, and strategies to complete the quest with ease. Whether you’re a new player or an Ironman, this SEO-optimized guide will help you navigate the quest and maximize your rewards.

Fishing Contest is a short quest where you earn the trust of dwarven brothers, Austri or Vestri, by winning a fishing trophy in Hemenster. In return, they grant access to a tunnel under White Wolf Mountain, a safer and faster route than crossing the mountain’s surface. The quest is ideal for low-level players and offers 2,437 Fishing experience, making it a great early-game objective.

Quest Requirements

  • Skill: Level 10 Fishing
  • Items:
    • 5-10 coins (10 if buying a fishing rod)
    • Spade (shovel)
    • Fishing rod (regular, not oily)
    • Garlic (obtainable during quest)
    • Red vine worms (obtainable during quest)
  • Recommended:
    • Combat bracelet or Skills necklace for teleports
    • Food and armor for low-level players to handle aggressive guard dogs
    • Fairy ring access (code ALS) for faster travel

Quest Start Points

You can start the quest by speaking to either Austri (east of White Wolf Mountain, near Taverley) or Vestri (west of the mountain, near Catherby). The western start point (Vestri) is recommended as it’s closer to the quest’s main activities in Hemenster.

Step-by-Step Quest Walkthrough

Follow these steps to complete the Fishing Contest quest efficiently. Each step is designed to minimize travel time and ensure success, even for beginners.

Step 1: Starting the Quest

Head to either Austri or Vestri at the tunnel entrances under White Wolf Mountain. Attempt to enter the tunnel, and the dwarf will stop you, explaining that only friends can use it. Select the dialogue options: “If you were my friend I wouldn’t mind it” and “And how am I meant to do that?” The dwarf will ask you to win a golden trophy at the Hemenster fishing contest and give you a fishing pass.

Step 2: Gathering Required Items

Before heading to Hemenster, collect the necessary items. If you don’t have them, here’s how to obtain them:

Item How to Obtain
Spade Pick up in Falador (house north of park), Catherby farm shop, or Ardougne farm shop.
Fishing Rod Buy from Grandpa Jack in Hemenster for 5 coins or from fishing shops (e.g., Port Sarim).
Garlic Pick up in Seers’ Village (house southwest of the bank, spawns on table).
Red Vine Worms Collect in McGrubor’s Wood (see Step 3).

Step 3: Collecting Red Vine Worms

Travel to McGrubor’s Wood, north of Hemenster. Enter through the loose railing on the northern side (the southern gate is locked). Inside, beware of level 44 guard dogs, which are aggressive to low-level players. Head west to the red vines near the fairy ring (code ALS if unlocked). Use your spade to “Check Vine” and collect at least 2-3 red vine worms. Grab an extra if you plan to start Fairy Tale Part I later.

Step 4: Preparing for the Fishing Contest

Go to Hemenster, just north of the Fishing Guild. Show your fishing pass to Morris at the gate to enter. Speak to Grandpa Jack in the house opposite the Ranging Guild for tips: he suggests fishing near the outflow pipes with red vine worms and using garlic to repel a vampire (the Sinister Stranger) from the prime spot.

Step 5: Winning the Fishing Contest

Inside Hemenster, follow these steps to win the contest:

  1. Place garlic in the pipes: Insert garlic into the pipes on the south wall of the north building, near the Sinister Stranger. He’ll complain about the smell and swap spots, giving you access to the prime fishing spot.
  2. Pay the contest fee: Speak to Bonzo, pay 5 coins, and he’ll assign you a fishing spot (initially by the willow tree).
  3. Fish at the pipes: After the Sinister Stranger moves, fish at the spot by the pipes using red vine worms as bait. You’ll catch a raw giant carp, a unique fish that guarantees victory.
  4. Submit your catch: Speak to Bonzo again to hand over the giant carp. He’ll declare you the winner and award the fishing trophy.

Note: If you fish before placing garlic, you’ll catch sardines and lose the contest. Always place garlic first.

Step 6: Completing the Quest

Return to Austri or Vestri and give them the fishing trophy. They’ll grant you access to the White Wolf Mountain tunnel. Congratulations, quest complete!

Rewards and Benefits

Completing Fishing Contest offers several rewards that make it worthwhile for all account types.

Quest Rewards

  • 2,437 Fishing XP: Boosts you to level 24 Fishing from level 10, skipping early grinding.
  • White Wolf Mountain Tunnel Access: A safer, faster route between Taverley and Catherby, avoiding wolves.
  • Additional Perks:
    • Access to the mine cart system (requires The Giant Dwarf quest).
    • Ability to catch minnows in the Fishing Guild (level 82 Fishing, full Angler’s outfit).
    • Scale Catherby Cliff shortcut (requires 35 Ranged, 32 Agility, 35 Strength).
  • 2 Treasure Hunter Keys: For non-Ironman accounts.

Why It’s Worth Doing

The tunnel access is a game-changer for low-level players, especially those avoiding combat. The Fishing XP is also a significant boost, making this quest a priority for skillers and Ironmen. Additionally, it’s a prerequisite for quests like Recipe for Disaster, Forgettable Tale, and Between a Rock.

Tips for Efficiency

Maximize your time and success with these pro tips:

General Tips

  • Use Teleports: A combat bracelet (Ranging Guild) or Skills necklace (Fishing Guild) speeds up travel to Hemenster.
  • Prepare Items Early: Grab a spade, fishing rod, and coins before starting to avoid backtracking.
  • Avoid Guard Dogs: Stick to the western edge of McGrubor’s Wood to minimize aggro from level 44 dogs.
  • Fairy Ring Access: If you’ve completed A Fairy Tale II, use code ALS to reach McGrubor’s Wood instantly.

Ironman Tips

  • Spade Locations: Ultimate Ironmen can pick up a spade in Falador or Ardougne if inventory space is tight.
  • Garlic Source: Don’t skip the Seers’ Village garlic spawn—it’s free and easy to grab.
  • Red Vine Worms: These are untradeable, so you must collect them yourself in McGrubor’s Wood.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of these pitfalls to save time and frustration:

Fishing Errors

  • Fishing Without Garlic: If you fish before placing garlic, you’ll catch sardines and lose the contest. Always place garlic first.
  • Wrong Bait: Only red vine worms work for catching the giant carp. Regular bait yields sardines.
  • Using Oily Fishing Rod: The oily fishing rod from Heroes’ Quest doesn’t work for this quest—use a regular one.

Travel and Combat Mistakes

  • Entering McGrubor’s Wood Incorrectly: Use the loose railing in the north, not the southern gate, which is locked.
  • Underestimating Guard Dogs: Low-level players should bring food and armor to survive potential attacks in McGrubor’s Wood.
  • Forgetting the Fishing Pass: You can’t enter Hemenster without showing Morris the pass from the dwarf.

By following this guide, you’ll complete the Fishing Contest quest quickly and efficiently, unlocking valuable rewards and setting yourself up for future OSRS adventures. Cast your line, outsmart the vampire, and claim that trophy!