BILLINGS – Still fishing for the perfect gift for all the anglers and aquatic enthusiasts in your life? Join Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff for a free fish printing workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the Billings FWP office (2300 Lake Elmo Dr.) from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to make unique gifts.

The workshop will begin with a brief presentation on various fish species in Montana. Participants will then learn how to fish print, both on paper and fabric, with replicas of Montana fish. FWP will provide paint and fabric ink for printing and canvas bags to print on. Participants should bring their own articles of clothing, preferably made of cotton, to print on if desired.

Fish printing, also called gyotaku, is a traditional Japanese art form developed by fishermen to record their noteworthy catches. FWP uses gyotaku—typically with rubber replica fish rather than real specimens—in its education programs to teach students about Montana fish species identification and anatomy.

Can’t make the workshop but still interested in learning how to fish print? Check out this great video tutorial on fish printing.