You dont HAVE to beet the forest temple first!
ok this is kinda late for me saying this, but i don't believe u have to beat the forest temple first, i believe u can get it as soon as u grow up
you dont need her. You can use the longshot on the little sign thing above the bridge in gurdo vallie
That's true when you are up to that area. I like to get the biggeron sword way before I do the water temple. You have to jump the bridge to get to the carpenter for the broken sword.