Ash Wednesday has always been a solemn day to me - Fish Fry doesn’t sound solemn to me. Just the way my family observed it - nothing else.
Friday AFTER Ash Wednesday was always the first one - big gathering of the congregation after Stations of the Cross.
I agree on the solemn part. When we are reminded that “Dust thou art, and into dust thou shall return.” is not really the basis for a celebration.
You’re right — I see where you are coming from. A Fish Fry on Ash Wednesday does not sound appropriate.