Larry Heywood addressing attendees of the 2026 Fishmas Eve fundraiser in Truckee, CA

Larry Heywood has served on the board of the Truckee River Chapter of Trout Unlimited since (at least) 2014. Larry has been instrumental for more than a decade in helping the chapter thrive in good times and in holding it together in lean years. The chapter remains active to this day in part due to Larry’s efforts.

As conservation committee chair for the chapter, Larry has been involved multiple in-stream habitat restoration projects including the lower lot reach of the Little Truckee in 2015, the DFW Loop/Horner’s Corner reach of the main stem of Truckee a couple miles east of the Ag station on Interstate 80 in 2017, and the reach just above the waste water treatment plant along Glenshire Drive affectionately known as the toilet bowl in 2019. His efforts along these reaches have added new habitat and restored both fish and macro-invertebrates in these sections of the river.

Larry has also fought for the public’s right to access public land along the Truckee. In addition to helping show that the Truckee River is navigable and that riverside landowners do not own the river bottom, Larry convinced Nevada county to create new public access at the Hirschdale bridge to enable anglers to enter the river legally at that point. His tenacity and commitment to public access are a shining example of how to defend a public right.

Larry’s actions to support the Truckee River Chapter include helping keep the chapter’s annual Fishmas Eve fundraiser vibrant and effective. Since 2008, the fundraiser has yielded over $50,000 for the Truckee River since its inception in 2008. Larry helped maintain the chapter’s relationship with the local venue, The Blue Coyote, and has frequently emceed the event and donated raffle items to help raise money for the chapter.

Fish, wildlife, and (yes) anglers have all benefited from Larry’s sustained effort in the Truckee River watershed. Thank you Larry!