Can you obtain it without having to buy it first from the bookseller? I'm trying have a 10M Money run without leaving the farm. And obtaining books seems impossible for me rn.
So cool! Which farm type are you playing this on? If you are playing on any but standard you can still fish and obtain books and ore and even food in treasure chests, though catch rates vary greatly. Also even on Standard you can use crab pots, and they work well for other farms too. Btw, what on earth are you using for food and seeds and things.
I'm playing on Four Corners. Unfortunately, my challenge is I can't leave the farm. I won't be able to obtain fishing rod, I'm trying to earn 10M without leaving. :))
Unfortunately, no. Willy won't give you the rod unless you visit him.
He brings a training rod which only catches a small variety of fish.
This is what the wiki says: "Alternatively, on or after Spring 28 Year 1, if the player has been given the Bamboo Pole but has not reached Fishing level 1, entering the farm before 11:30 am on a sunny day will cause Willy to visit and give the player a Training Rod and a fishing lesson which gives them Fishing level 1. "