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Barbarian Fly Fishing OSRS A Comprehensive Guide to Efficient Skilling

Barbarian Fly Fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a unique and rewarding method to train Fishing, Strength, and Agility simultaneously. Performed at specific locations like Baxtorian Falls, this technique offers excellent experience rates and a semi-AFK approach, making it a favorite for players aiming to level multiple skills efficiently. In this guide, we’ll explore the requirements, gear, methods, experience rates, and tips to master Barbarian Fly Fishing, optimized for both casual and hardcore players.
Barbarian Fly Fishing, often referred to as Barbarian Fishing, is part of the Barbarian Training miniquest in OSRS. Unlike traditional fly fishing, which uses a fly fishing rod to catch trout and salmon, Barbarian Fly Fishing employs a heavier barbarian rod to catch leaping fish—leaping trout, leaping salmon, and leaping sturgeon—at designated fishing spots. This method stands out because it grants experience in Fishing, Strength, and Agility, with the option to gain Cooking experience by gutting fish.
Why Choose Barbarian Fly Fishing?
Here’s why players opt for this method:
- Multi-Skill Training: Simultaneously levels Fishing, Strength, and Agility, saving time for players pursuing maxed accounts.
- Decent XP Rates: Offers competitive experience rates, especially with tick manipulation techniques.
- Semi-AFK: The basic method requires minimal attention, ideal for players multitasking or skilling casually.
- Low Cost: Requires inexpensive items like feathers or fish offcuts for bait.
Requirements and Setup
Before diving into Barbarian Fly Fishing, you need to meet specific requirements and gather the right gear. Completing the Barbarian Training miniquest is essential to unlock this method.
Quest and Skill Requirements
To start Barbarian Fly Fishing, you must complete the Fishing portion of the Barbarian Training miniquest, which requires:
- Level 48 Fishing: To catch leaping trout.
- Level 15 Strength: For leaping trout; higher levels unlock better fish.
- Level 15 Agility: For leaping trout; improves catch success rate.
Additional skill levels for catching other fish include:
- Leaping Salmon: 58 Fishing, 30 Strength, 30 Agility.
- Leaping Sturgeon: 70 Fishing, 45 Strength, 45 Agility.
Recommended Gear and Inventory
Your gear setup is straightforward but crucial for efficiency:
- Barbarian Rod: Obtained from under Otto Godblessed’s bed at Otto’s Grotto after starting the miniquest.
- Bait: Feathers, fishing bait, fish offcuts, roe, or caviar. Feathers are the most cost-effective, available from shops like Shantay Pass or the Grand Exchange.
- Knife: For gutting fish to gain Cooking experience and obtain roe/caviar or fish offcuts for bait.
- Optional for 3-Tick Fishing: Herb (e.g., Guam), swamp tar, pestle and mortar, or teak/mahogany logs for tick manipulation.
Inventory Tip: For AFK training, bring 25 bait items and a knife. For 3-tick fishing, include tick manipulation items and keybind fish to drop them quickly using the shift-drop option.
How to Start Barbarian Fly Fishing
Getting started is simple once you’ve met the requirements. Follow these steps to begin your Barbarian Fly Fishing journey.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Travel to Otto’s Grotto: Located north of Baxtorian Falls, the easiest way to get there is by using a Games Necklace to teleport to the Barbarian Outpost and running east. Alternatively, use a Grouping teleport to Barbarian Assault and head southwest.
- Speak to Otto Godblessed: Ask, “What can I learn about the use of a fishing rod?” He’ll instruct you to retrieve the barbarian rod from under his bed and teach you the method.
- Equip the Barbarian Rod: Head to the fishing spots near the lake by Otto’s Grotto or at Mount Quidamortem for a bankable alternative.
- Start Fishing: Click the fishing spots to catch leaping fish. Drop fish for faster XP or gut them for Cooking XP and bait.
Alternative Fishing Spots
While Otto’s Grotto is the primary location, you can also fish at:
- Mount Quidamortem: Closer to a bank (Chambers of Xeric chest), ideal for AFK players banking fish or using a fish barrel. Reddit PSA
- Ancient Cavern: Requires higher levels and is less accessible but offers the same fish.
Experience Rates and Tick Manipulation
Barbarian Fly Fishing offers varying experience rates depending on your Fishing level, method (AFK or 3-tick), and whether you use tick manipulation. Below is a breakdown of expected rates.
Experience Rates Table
Fishing Level | Fish | AFK XP/Hour (Fishing) | 3-Tick XP/Hour (Fishing) | Strength/Agility XP/Hour |
---|---|---|---|---|
48 | Leaping Trout | 23,000 | 40,000 | 2,300 |
58 | Leaping Salmon | 37,000 | 68,000 | 3,400 |
70 | Leaping Sturgeon | 48,000 | 90,000 | 4,400 |
90 | Leaping Sturgeon | 54,000 | 108,000 | 4,900 |
99 | Leaping Sturgeon | 57,000 | 110,000 | 5,200 |
Note: 3-tick rates assume proficient tick manipulation. Strength and Agility XP are roughly equal per hour. Cooking XP (15,000/hour at high levels) is gained by gutting fish.
Mastering 3-Tick Fishing
3-tick fishing significantly boosts XP rates by reducing the time between catch attempts from 5 ticks to 3. Here’s how to do it:
- Herb and Tar Method: Use a herb (e.g., Guam) on swamp tar with a pestle and mortar in your inventory. Start the animation, then click the fishing spot. Repeat every 3 ticks (1.8 seconds).
- Cut-Eat Method: Cut a leaping fish with a knife, eat the roe/caviar, and click the fishing spot. Requires 80+ Cooking for consistent success. This method adds Cooking XP but is more click-intensive.
- Drop Fish Efficiently: Use shift-drop (enable in settings) and keybind fish on your ability bar to drop them without interrupting fishing.
Pro Tip: Practice the rhythm by watching for XP drops or using a metronome set to 1.8 seconds.
Tips for Maximizing Efficiency
To get the most out of Barbarian Fly Fishing, consider these strategies to optimize your training.
Boosting Experience Gains
- Angler’s Outfit: Obtained from Fishing Trawler or Aerial Fishing, it provides a 2.5% Fishing XP boost when wearing the full set.
- Dragon Harpoon: Its special attack boosts Fishing by +3 levels, increasing catch rates. Use with a Lightbearer for faster special attack regeneration.
- Admiral Pie: Grants a +5 Fishing boost, allowing earlier access to higher-tier fish (e.g., leaping salmon at 53 Fishing).
- Fishing Urns: Stackable urns teleport when full, providing additional XP. Calculate needed urns by dividing remaining XP by 11,400.
Managing Inventory and Bait
Efficient inventory management saves time:
- Prioritize Bait Order: The game uses bait, feathers, offcuts, then roe/caviar in that order. Bring plenty of feathers to avoid using valuable roe/caviar.
- Bank Fish Offcuts: If banking at Mount Quidamortem, save offcuts for future bait to reduce costs.
- Use Fish Barrel: Obtained from Tempoross, it doubles inventory space for AFK banking trips.
AFK vs. Active Training
Choose your approach based on your goals:
- AFK Training: Fish at Mount Quidamortem, bank fish, and use a fish barrel for minimal effort. Expect 25–30% lower XP rates but less focus required.
- Active Training: Use 3-tick methods at Otto’s Grotto, dropping fish to maximize XP. Ideal for players aiming for 99 Fishing quickly.
Barbarian Fly Fishing in OSRS is a versatile and efficient skilling method, perfect for players looking to train multiple skills at once. Whether you’re AFK fishing while working or grinding 3-tick for top XP rates, this guide equips you with the knowledge to succeed. Grab your barbarian rod, head to Baxtorian Falls, and start reeling in those leaping fish!