September has been a great month for fish lovers in the Napa Valley. Not only did Cindy Pawlcyn open Go Fish, a terrific fish house in St. Helena, but the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville has opened a remarkable new show, dedicated to fish.

"The Art of Angling: Works on Paper from the Gary Widman Collection," is a deceptively dry name for such an astonishing aquatic show. Widman, a retired law professor from Hastings, has devoted years to acquiring art on the theme of fish and fishing. Only part of his collection -- some 300 pieces -- are on view at the museum, but among them, you'll see engravings, etchings, paintings and lithographs from artists as disparate as Rembrandt, Thomas Hart Benton, Winslow Homer, Brueghal and Masami Teraoka.

Even from the viewpoint of one who generally prefers fish poached in olive oil or grilled and turned into a taco, the show fascinating -- one of the most original the museum has staged.

Widman, an enthusiastic fisherman, said he began his collection in 1922. "In recent years I've spent more time collecting art than fishing.

"I studied the literature; who had done works depicting fish," he said. He's now known to art dealers around the world who keep an eye out for fresh fish works. "I have the word out," he said; he doesn't know of anyone else who collects fish art, "not on this scale."

When one of the trustees of the Napa Valley Museum happened to see pieces of his collection on display, she approached him about setting up a show in Yountville. He met with museum director Eric Nelson, and the show was set.

Although he has shown some of his collection at the Crocker Museum, Widman noted this Napa Valley Museum show is a rare opportunity to see some of the finest pieces in it. "Even my friends can't readily see it," he said. "Even I can't." A lot of it is still stacked against the walls in his Tiburon home, he said.

Does he have any favorites? "At different times they've all been favorites," he said. "I suppose the two sepia-toned wash Italian drawings. Those two I'd want in my room forever."

Going fishing

In conjunction with "The Art of Angling," the Napa Valley Museum will be offering a variety of programs, including a fishing trip this weekend with museum director Nelson and Gordon Heuther, president of the museum's board of trustees. Spots are still available to join the "Bodega Bay Snapper and Salmon Fishing" excursion Saturday from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. They'll be cruising in the 65-foot New Sea Angler. The Bodega Bay Sportfishing Center will provide all tackle and professional deck hands to bait and help you land your catch. You only need to bring your lunch and your license. The trip departs from the museum. The cost is $170 ($155 for museum members). To reserve a place call 944-0500.

Sept. 30 the museum hosts a Friends and Family Day on "Gyotaku: The Art & Technique of Japanese Fish Printing" with local artist Fred Morse, from 2 to 4 p.m. Gyo means fish and taku means rubbing. Gyotaku prints were first made in the 1860s to record the size and species of fish caught by Japanese anglers. It later evolved into an art form. The museum staff will provide all supplies for this family-oriented workshop where participants will learn more about the history of gyotaku and make prints to take home.

This event is free with museum admission, but reserve a place by Sept. 28.

The Napa Valley Museum is at 55 Presidents Circle, on the grounds of the Veterans Home of California, adjacent to the Lincoln Theater. The museum is open daily, except Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4.50 for adults, $3.50 for students/seniors and $2.50 for youth 7-17. Children under 7 are admitted free. For additional information, visit www.napavalleymuseum.org or call 944-0500.