The one I remember was in TBM, but it was a couple years ago. This kid used a gar skin. I can't find the article anymore, but here's what I remember about it..
He skinned the gar, fleshed it, and wrapped it around a peice of PVC tubing, so that it could take shape. Thinking maybe he also used some sort of clear laquer to preserve the color, otherwise fish scales just bleach out to a bone color..which in my opinion is kinda cool looking too.
I'm not sure how long he left it out to dry, or how he stitched it up, but gar skin is tough, so he probably punched holes in it stitched it up swith cord or sinew. Probably left it out long enough for it to quit stinking.
Hope this helps..
Cam