1. How do i get past the 3rd part of the fishing game, I've been doing it for ages getting perfects nearly every time but it still only the upper stream.

2. The messages in the bottles, what are they for and what do they say?
I got "sluice gate rats" and "Salika..." but couldn't work out the rest.

also on an unrelated note, in the salika wood there are some steps that go down to a pool in the "corridor of ages" by the pool there is a toad that disappears as soon as i go near it an only flashes back into view occasionally, is there any way to kill it?

Alright, bounce magic off the toad. He's a rare game, no problem.

You have to use the clues from the 5 (6?) bottles to find the Matamune. This a fishing rod. Go to the places mentioned by the notes from the bottles and they will explode. You have to figure out the riddles on the notes. After you've done them all, you'll have the pieces of a message. Just head into Barheim like you're heading to Zalera. After you get off the bridge, head slightly left and re-enter the bridge from the seperated entrance. You'll meet an old friend (you can probably guess who) and he'll give you the Matamune.

Then you can catch the Cactoid Compact in the 3rd round (10% chance), and the Cactoid Commendation in the 4th round (10% chance). 5th round is the last and I think pretty easy compared to the rest.

If you want specifics on the bottle riddles, or if this is too hard to follow, let me know.

EDIT: Of course you want specifics on the Bottle Riddles, you asked for them. Me and my stupid haste.

The Red Bottle belongs in the Babbling Vale section of Mosphoran. NW corner Shrine, I think it is inactive.

The Blue Bottle belongs in the Deadlands. Head to the upturned boat in the SE corner of the Echoes of the Past section.

The Yellow Bottle belongs in Cerobi Steppe. If you haven't fucked with the windmills, just START 2 and 5, and STOP 3 and 8.