The Hylian Loach stands as the most uncommon and challenging fish to reel in within the Fishing Pond of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Successfully catching one is a notable accomplishment, and this guide provides the necessary steps to achieve it.
To make the Hylian Loach appear in the Fishing Pond, players must first obtain the Fishing Pond Heart Piece. In the Switch 2 remake, this requires catching a fish measuring 50cm or more, while the original N64 version demands a fish of 10 pounds or more. Once this condition is met, the Hylian Loach will begin to appear.
The Hylian Loach can be found and caught by both Child Link and Adult Link. The entry fee for the Fishing Pond varies by Link's age: 10 Rupees for Child Link and 30 Rupees for Adult Link.
This guide focuses on catching the Hylian Loach without the use of the Sinking Lure, adhering to the Fishing Pond Man's rules. While the Sinking Lure becomes available after obtaining the Heart Piece, it is not necessary for this challenge.
Tips for Catching the Hylian Loach:
The Hylian Loach typically resides at the bottom of the pond's central area, making it difficult to reach with the lure. However, this positioning aids in keeping track of its movements.
It is recommended to stand on the log extending from the left side of the pond. This vantage point offers an excellent view of the loach, especially during daylight hours.
While the loach often stays deep, it will periodically surface. This is the prime opportunity to cast your line. Surfacing tends to occur around sunrise and sunset, during rain, or at random intervals. The elevated position on the log provides a clear view of when and where it appears.
Avoid startling the Hylian Loach, as this will cause it to retreat to the pond's bottom. Cast your lure only after the loach has surfaced, and refrain from catching other fish while waiting, as this can also spook it.
When casting, aim the fishing line slightly above the loach's surfaced position to prevent accidental disturbance.
Once the loach shows interest in the lure, reel it in with short, controlled bursts, pausing briefly between each. This maintains the loach's focus on the bait and allows it to bite without being pulled too quickly.
After the initial hook, the loach will swim back and forth. It will always begin its movement in the same direction it initially swam after being hooked. Remembering this initial direction is key to anticipating its movements during subsequent reeling segments.
When the loach jumps out of the water, it signals an impending change in its swimming direction. React promptly by adjusting the analogue stick's direction.
Continuously holding down the reel-in button (ZR) does not incur a penalty and allows for focused management of the loach's direction without interruption.
For players using the original N64 version, the Hylian Loach appears less frequently, typically on every fourth entry into the Fishing Pond with a 20 Rupee fee. Two loaches may appear for Child Link, while Adult Link will only encounter one. They generally move between the lily pads and deeper water. It is advisable to cast only after hearing the loach flap on the surface.
Upon successfully catching the Hylian Loach and presenting it to the Fishing Pond Man, players will receive a Purple Rupee. The loach is then released back into the pond to maintain the fish population, though it can be caught again.
