I've put in a total of about 600 hours on the Switch console across 3 farms, 70 of them so far on version 1.5, and 250 of them after version 1.4.
I will admit there is a STEEP learning curve, and I quit fishing my first time because it was rough. Eventually I practiced and got better at tapping the button appropriately and mitigating the bottom bounce.
If I may pose a suggestion (for CA), maybe it would be better if Willy just gives the training rod first (Or you get it with your starting equipment), and then Willy gives you the Bamboo pole when you hit Level 2. As is new players won't really know the Training Rod exists until after they've already tried to fish (and likely become frustrated).