Something’s Fishy in Philadelphia…
There is definitely something fishy going on in Philadelphia, and I plan to get to the bottom of it. This could be a projection, as I have a rather large affinity for fish in all aspects: live fish, looking at fish, eating fish, drawing fish, anything fish, I am usually in. I think it started when I was young, in Seattle, where we lived by a fish ladder. Bet you didn’t know fish could walk up stairs.
The ladder was there because of the locks connecting Puget Sound and Lake Washington. During spawning season, salmon migrate from saltwater to freshwater and upstream. This is bears’ favorite time of year; they get to stand in one place and get food delivered to them. Back to the locks, I always loved looking at the fish swim by. It was like a free aquarium, with higher stakes.
This affinity for fish has grown since moving to Philadelphia three years ago. I’m going to say it, maybe I miss Seattle and the fishy things they’ve got going on. As Macklemore once said, “Stop by Pike Place, throwing fish to a player.” If you are unfamiliar with the Pike Place fish throwing, here is some context.
That’s what I miss. In an effort to ease my homesickness, I am going to find all the fishy things in Philadelphia, because there HAS to be something fishy going on here, too.
My fishy agenda includes fishing, a fish market, a fish feast, Fishtown, and Fish Food!
Fishing
I’ve caught a fish or two back in my day. My family used to go on a yearly hike to Cutthroat Lake, which was full of cutthroat trout (so named because they have a long red mark on their throats, as if it were cut). Over a weekend, we would catch over 100. We would throw them back, so who’s to say we weren’t catching the same one? I probably only contributed about two catches to this number. Allegedly, there are fish in the Schuylkill River, so I decided to get to business in this fishy situation and brush up on my fishing skills.
I called up the best fisherwoman I know, Susannah Kimsal, and we headed down to the Schuylkill River. We decided to fish next to the fisherman statue on the rock; since he has been fishing all his life, maybe he could give us some tips. Despite it being a sunny day, the water was still cold, which had to be the only reason we did not catch any fish.
Fishing is a friendly activity; we got a lot of encouragement and curious questions about whether we had caught anything. We talked to an older man about how he used to fish there 20 years ago. He was very pleased with our efforts.
Overall, I would do it again when it is warmer; it’s a great activity. No bites for us that day, but we did confirm that the Schuylkill is fishy.
If you’re feeling inspired, Bartram’s Garden and FDR Park offer free fishing days with supplies provided. Go get out there, check it out.
Fish Market
Since we didn't catch any fish, I stopped by John Yi Seafood at Reading Terminal to get some fishy friends. John Yi has been selling fresh fish in Reading Terminal for over 38 years and has good recommendations from Reddit. I made the mistake of going on a Saturday; Reading Terminal was packed like sardines. After fighting the crowds, I discovered they had a good selection. I’m unsure if I knew tuna steaks were a thing before this, but now I am very intrigued. I was a little sad that no fish throwing was happening, but overall, the hustle and bustle reminded me of Pike Place.
Check them out because you know what they say, “eat fish, live longer.”
Fish Feast
What could be more fun than eating fish? Eating raw fish! We headed to Tomo Sushi and Ramen in Old City. We tried to get as many fishy things as possible, so we got the Rock & Roll with eel and avocado, topped with shrimp, avocado & unagi sauce, and the Brian Roll with oshinko, kanpyo, shibazuke, and avocado, topped with seared yellowtail. Then, of course, the classic California and Spicy Tuna.
I’ve had West Coast sushi, which means my standards are high; I would say this compares. We were at a table across from the chef making the sushi to order, so it was guaranteed to be fresh, and watching the chefs work is always so much fun. I especially like their tuna, which tasted scrumptious. So, my recommendation doesn't come lightly; this one is a go for me.
Fishtown
Obviously, I had to go to Fishtown, how much fishier could you get?! Some of my favorite things in Fishtown are the trash cans and all the fish art. Every time I go, I find a new fish picture I hadn't seen before. Here are some of my favorite fishy house numbers.
And the fish trash cans!
Fishtown is cute, but the number of new builds and tech bros who hang out there now makes it seem like something seriously fishy is happening. Fishtown is very much organized around its food and bar scene. My recommendations are the to-die-for pasta at Murph's! Johnny Brenda’s for their shows and El Bar in the summer for their large backyard. Fishtown is best visited when it's warm and sunny, so I very much enjoyed my time.
Fish Food
Drexel has fishy things going on, too, with our very own WKDU DJ Gabbymack on her show Fish Food. Her show name, “Fish Food,” came from her lifelong love for fish. She developed an affinity for water after growing up at her family’s beach house in Brigantine, NJ, where she fished, swam, boated, and frolicked in the water. Her obsession with the beach and the water led her to choose a fish as her favorite animal. Her nickname “Finn” in high school only solidified her love for fish. Gabby loves fish so much that she even got a fish tattoo, which came about after her family sold their beach house, when she moved away for college. Just like her favorite animal, the tattoo is non-descript; it’s a fish as a concept that’s important. She, too, is working to keep the spirit of fish alive!
Gabby “lives and breathes the radio station.” Beyond being on air for three years, she also does PR, running the Instagram and YouTube. Gabby thinks you should listen to college radio, or radio in general, because “Radio is such an important part of how to grow as a smaller artist. Every cool artist you know started on college radio.” So, hop on the trend early!
Her most recent in-studio session was with Cassie Ramone, the lead singer of Vivian Girls, an early-2000s all-girl rock band, who will soon be playing a festival with Pavement. WKDU also had some great sessions on their YouTube with Mac DeMarco, Meek Mill, and more.
To hear Gabby playing “music from the murk” with “untamed tracks 4 evolved amphibians” and if you’re into “bubble grunge and indie rock and angry women and also sometimes indie folk because I also like that”—you can hear her on Wednesdays, 4–5 pm at wkdu.org/program/fish-food and on 91.7 FM. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a fish fact or a fish-themed song.
Catch up on the episodes you missed on Spotify
After a week of exploration, I found there are definitely some fishy things going on in Philadelphia, and I’m glad there are. Salmon make the journey from the ocean back to the river where they were born, somehow always finding their way home. These fishy things remind me of that. Even when I’m building a new home somewhere else, there are always small currents pulling me back to the places and ideas that feel familiar.