OSRS How to Fly Fish A Complete Guide for Beginners and Pros

Fly fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most chill and rewarding ways to level up your Fishing skill. Whether you’re a newbie just starting out or a seasoned player looking to grind efficiently, fly fishing is a go-to method. I’ve spent countless hours in OSRS casting my rod in the serene rivers of Gielinor, and let me tell you, there’s something oddly satisfying about watching those fish stack up in your inventory. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about fly fishing in OSRS, from the basics to pro tips, sprinkled with some of my own experiences. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!

Fly fishing is a Fishing method in OSRS where you use a fly fishing rod and feathers to catch specific fish, like trout and salmon. It’s one of the fastest ways to train Fishing, especially in the early to mid-levels. The vibe is super relaxed, and you can even make some decent gold while you’re at it. I remember my first time fly fishing near Barbarian Village it felt like I was finally getting the hang of OSRS’s grindy nature.

Why Choose Fly Fishing?

So, why pick fly fishing over other methods? Here’s the deal:

• Fast XP: Fly fishing gives solid Fishing experience rates, especially between levels 20 and 58.

• Low Cost: All you need is a fly fishing rod and some feathers, which are dirt cheap.

• AFK-Friendly: You can semi-AFK while fishing, perfect for multitasking or just chilling.

• Profit Potential: Trout and salmon can be sold or cooked for profit or food.

Got a busy schedule? Fly fishing lets you train while watching a show or chatting with friends in-game. It’s a win-win.

Requirements for Fly Fishing

Before you can start fly fishing, you need to meet a couple of requirements. Don’t worry, they’re super straightforward.

Fishing Level

You need level 20 Fishing to catch trout and level 30 Fishing to catch salmon. If you’re starting from scratch, you can get to level 20 by catching shrimp or crayfish in places like Lumbridge. I spent my early days fishing shrimp near Draynor Village, and it was a grind, but it got me there.

Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fly Fishing Rod: Buy one from a fishing shop, like the one in Port Sarim, for about 5-10 GP.

• Feathers: Each catch uses one feather, so stock up! You can buy them from fishing shops, the Grand Exchange, or even kill chickens for them. Pro tip: I always buy feathers in bulk from the GE to save time.

• Inventory Space: You’ll need space for the fish you catch, so keep at least 28 slots free if you want to maximize your trip.

Optional but Helpful

• Fishing Bait (Backup): If you run out of feathers, some spots let you use bait as a fallback.

• Coins: For buying supplies or teleporting to fishing spots.

• Cooking Supplies: If you plan to cook your catches for Cooking XP or food.

Wondering where to get started? The next section covers the best spots to fly fish.

Best Fly Fishing Spots in OSRS

OSRS has a few solid spots for fly fishing, each with its own vibe. Here’s a rundown of the best ones, based on my own adventures and what the community loves.

Barbarian Village

This is the classic spot for fly fishing. It’s right by the river east of Barbarian Village, super close to Varrock for banking. I used to love this spot as a low-level player because it’s free-to-play and easy to access. The downside? It can get crowded, especially on popular worlds.

• Pros: Free-to-play, close to Varrock bank, easy for beginners.

• Cons: Crowded, limited fishing spots.

Shilo Village

If you’re a member, Shilo Village is a fantastic spot. You need to complete the Shilo Village quest, but it’s worth it. The river here is less crowded, and the bank is super close. I spent hours here when I was pushing for 70 Fishing, and the peaceful vibe made it so relaxing.

• Pros: Close bank, fewer players, members-only.

• Cons: Requires quest completion, members-only.

Lumbridge River

The river near Lumbridge is another free-to-play option. It’s not as popular as Barbarian Village, but it’s great if you want a quieter spot. I stumbled across this spot when I was exploring as a noob, and it’s a nice alternative if Barbarian Village is too busy.

• Pros: Less crowded, easy to access.

• Cons: Farther from a bank, slower XP.

Seers’ Village

For members, the river near Seers’ Village is a solid pick. It’s close to a bank, and if you’ve got the Kandarin Diary done, you can teleport nearby. I started using this spot when I got tired of the crowds at Barbarian Village, and it felt like a nice upgrade.

• Pros: Close bank, good for members, teleport options.

• Cons: Members-only, slightly farther from the fishing spots.

Which spot is your favorite? It really depends on your level, membership status, and how much you care about banking speed.

How to Fly Fish Step-by-Step

Ready to start fishing? Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you casting that rod like a pro.

1. Get Your Gear: Buy a fly fishing rod and feathers from a fishing shop or the Grand Exchange.

2. Head to a Fishing Spot: Pick one of the spots mentioned above, like Barbarian Village or Shilo Village.

3. Click the Fishing Spot: Look for the “Lure” option on the bubbling water. Click it to start fishing.

4. Wait for Fish: Your character will keep fishing until your inventory is full or the spot moves.

5. Bank or Drop: If you’re going for XP, drop the fish. If you want profit or Cooking XP, bank them.

6. Repeat: Keep fishing until you hit your desired level or get bored (it happens!).

Pro tip: I used to drop fish to power-level Fishing, but when I needed gold, I’d bank salmon and sell them on the GE. It’s all about what suits your goals.

Experience Rates and Leveling

Fly fishing is a beast for XP, especially in the early levels. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect:

Fish	Fishing Level Required	XP per Catch	Approx. Catches per Hour
Trout	20	50	300-400
Salmon	30	70	200-300

At level 20, you can expect around 15,000-20,000 XP per hour catching trout. Once you hit level 30, salmon boosts that to about 25,000-35,000 XP per hour. When I was grinding to 70 Fishing, I stuck with fly fishing until about level 58 before switching to other methods like barb-tail harpooning. The XP was steady, and I could zone out while doing it.

Leveling Tips

• Start Early: Fly fishing is best from levels 20-58. After that, other methods like Tempoross or Monkfish might be faster.

• Use Boosts: If you’ve got access to the Admiral Pie (+5 Fishing boost), use it to catch salmon earlier.

• Diaries Help: Completing diaries like Kandarin or Lumbridge can give you teleports or XP boosts.

• Stay Focused: If you’re not AFKing, click quickly to reduce downtime between catches.

Ever tried fly fishing for hours straight? It’s oddly addictive, but your fingers might hate you.

Making Money with Fly Fishing

Can you make gold while fly fishing? Absolutely. Trout and salmon aren’t exactly high-ticket items, but they add up, especially if you’re banking them. Here’s a rough idea of prices (based on my last check on the GE):

• Raw Trout: ~50-100 GP each

• Raw Salmon: ~100-200 GP each

If you’re catching around 300 fish per hour (mix of trout and salmon), you could make 20,000-50,000 GP per hour. Not bad for a low-effort method! I used to sell my salmon to fund my early-game adventures, like buying better armor or training other skills.

Cooking for Profit or Food

If you’ve got a decent Cooking level, you can cook your trout and salmon for even more value. Cooked salmon sells for a bit more, and you get Cooking XP to boot. Plus, cooked fish are great for PvM or quests. I always cooked my catches when I was prepping for bossing trips, and it saved me a ton of gold on food.

Pro Tips from My Experience

After years of playing OSRS, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make fly fishing even better. Here are my top tips:

• Stock Up on Feathers: Buy 10,000+ feathers at once to avoid constant trips to the GE. I learned this the hard way after running out mid-session.

• Use a High-Alch Setup: If you’re a member, bring some runes to high-alch items while fishing. It’s a great way to train Magic and make extra gold.

• World Hop: If your fishing spot is crowded, hop to a less populated world. I used to do this at Barbarian Village all the time.

• Quest for Access: Complete Shilo Village or other quests to unlock better fishing spots. It’s a game-changer.

• Take Breaks: Fly fishing can get repetitive. I’d take short breaks to chat in my clan or do a quick quest to stay sane.

What’s your go-to tip for making fishing less grindy? I’d love to hear it!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even as an experienced player, I’ve made my fair share of blunders while fly fishing. Here are some mistakes to watch out for:

• Forgetting Feathers: Nothing’s worse than getting to a fishing spot and realizing you’re out of feathers. Always double-check!

• Ignoring Bank Proximity: If you’re banking fish, pick a spot close to a bank, like Shilo Village. I wasted so much time running back and forth from Lumbridge early on.

• Not Dropping Fish: If you’re just going for XP, drop the fish instead of banking. It saves time and keeps you focused.

• Sticking to One Spot: Don’t be afraid to try different locations. I was stubborn about Barbarian Village for too long before discovering Shilo.

Fly Fishing vs. Other Methods

How does fly fishing stack up against other Fishing methods? Let’s compare:

Method	Level Required	XP per Hour	Pros	Cons
Fly Fishing	20-30	15k-35k	Fast XP, cheap, AFK-friendly	Repetitive, moderate profit
Tempoross	35	40k-70k	Fun minigame, great rewards	Requires focus, members-only
Monkfish	62	30k-40k	Good profit, decent XP	Slower XP, quest-locked
Barb-tail Harpoon	35	25k-35k	Free-to-play, decent XP	No profit, repetitive

Fly fishing shines for its simplicity and low cost, but if you’re past level 58, you might want to switch to Tempoross or Monkfish for better XP or profit. I switched to Tempoross at level 60, and it was a blast, but I still have a soft spot for fly fishing’s chill vibes.

FAQs About Fly Fishing in OSRS

Got questions? I’ve got answers.

What’s the best level to start fly fishing?
Level 20 is when you can start catching trout. Salmon unlocks at 30, which boosts XP rates.

Is fly fishing profitable?
Yes, but it’s not the best money-maker. You can make 20k-50k GP per hour selling trout and salmon.

Can I fly fish in free-to-play?
Yup! Barbarian Village and Lumbridge are great F2P spots.

How many feathers do I need?
Bring 1,000-2,000 feathers per hour, depending on your catch rate. I always carried extra just in case.

My Fly Fishing Journey

When I first started fly fishing in OSRS, I was a total noob, barely understanding how skills worked. I remember standing by the Barbarian Village river, clicking away, and feeling like a pro when my Fishing level hit 30. The grind was real, but watching those levels climb kept me hooked. Nowadays, I’ll occasionally go back to fly fishing when I want to relax and relive those early days. There’s something nostalgic about it, you know?

What’s your OSRS fishing story? Whether you’re a beginner or a maxed-out pro, fly fishing is one of those skills that brings us all together. Grab your rod, stock up on feathers, and hit the rivers of Gielinor. Happy fishing!