Thank you to everyone sharing their condolences and memories of Charlie Cran with us over these last few weeks. We hope you enjoy this story from Charlie’s dear friend, Dennis May.
We have been deeply affected by Charlie’s passing, but we also know the show must go on. A celebration of life for Charlie is in the works, and we will let you know as soon as the details are confirmed.
This past week the harshness of life reached out and took a dear friend of mine, Charlie Cran. I knew Charlie for nearly 60 years. He was a fishing buddy of mine and a dear friend during that time.
As we explored fishing locations across the country, whether it was the Klamath river, the Trinity River, the Smith River or the Eel River in California, we were always there when we got the call that the steelhead we’re running. I think our favorite destination was the Gualala river. We visited on many occasions, getting to know the locals and visiting the history of the local pub held for visitors. We always stayed at the Gualala Hotel, so we didn’t have to drive, if you get the drift.
Charlie and I searched out the rivers and streams of the Sierra Nevada mountains as well. Visits there included,The Kern River, the Walker River, Carson rivers, American River, Mark River and Feather River. Our travels took us on many visits to the pristine Eagle Lake and historic Pyramid Lake in Nevada. We also traveled to the Warner mountains in extreme Northern CaliforniaIn in search of wild trout. I think the most remarkable experience we had there was with Western Tanagers which are very beautiful, calm and loving birds that interact very well with humans. Charlie held many of these little creatures in his hand.
Charlie was a lover of animals. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a few more relations that we had with pets. Charlie and Miko had many cats over the years. ”Whitey” is the cat that comes to mind and was Charlie’s favorite when he lived on 15th St. in Modesto. The best story though, was the day that Charlie and I were returning home from fishing on the McLeod and Upper Sacramento rivers. We were staying in Dunsmuir, which also boasted a number of great watering holes as well as fishing. He called Miko to give her an ETA and learned that a friend of hers had given her a dog by the name of “Cocoa”. I don’t think I ever saw Charlie so upset. This was the day the dog was supposed to go back to its owner and Miko could go too if she didn’t oblige within two weeks. Upon his return however, “Cocoa” quickly became Charlie’s right hand girl and the two of them were inseparable until her death many years later. What a wonderful story!
Prior to that I was the one with the dog, “Freckles.” I would take “Freckles” on fishing trips with us and she was a springer spaniel who loved the water. One interesting story happened on the shores of the Western Fork of the Walker river at a place called Pickle Meadow. We made our way to a great hole at the bend in the river. I moved on, but Charlie and “Freckles” stayed at the hole, where many fishermen were lined up to catch the wiley trout. And in addition to her affinity for water as I mentioned before, “Freckles” the spaniel also had a close relationship with ducks. This one occurrence is when she saw the ducks and dove into the water. The fishermen were livid and demanded to know who the owner was. Charlie responded with “You got me.“
Next, and still speaking of animals, Charlie and I both shared a love of race horses. Our journeys took us from Golden Gate Fields to Baymeadows, as well as all the fairgrounds up and down California. We also visited tracks in Washington and Canada. I don’t want to forget the occasion we found ourselves in an RV being awakened by the pounding of hoofs at the beautiful Longacres racecourse. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast cooked trackside before enjoying a day of racing at Longacres. Longacres was an experience like none other. Then we headed north to Canada and discovered racing at its most primitive stages. We found ourselves at a farm with a tote board being manually operated, and barbecue chicken being cooked on the flaming grill. Cranbrook racing was an experience not to be missed!
And then there were many times our extended families entered the fray, whether it was gatherings with George and Marge Cran or with Bud and Dorothy May, we all enjoyed each other’s company. Filled with embellished stories about our journeys, right or wrong, we enjoyed ourselves sharing the tales!
Then there were the times we needed to actually catch a fish and for this we would call on my brother, Bucky May, or Charlie’s cousin, Jimmy Trammell, to point us in the right direction. Bucky handled California and Jimmy handled Michigan. Jimmy still lives in Charlie’s hometown Mancelona, MI where they were next-door neighbors. Having these guys around really helped prove our embellishment of the circumstances.
And just a couple more thoughts to close this story. One is here we are in late November and the Chicago Bears are in first place. Charlie would be so proud. Don’t rest on your laurels, old buddy, there’s still a month left in the season.
I will miss you, my friend. You enriched my life in so many ways. You brought out the best I had to offer.
-Written by Charlie’s dearest friend, Dennis May
