Larry Heywood is a River Champion for the Truckee River watershed

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!

California Council Launches River Champions Recognition Program

In 2026, Trout Unlimited launched a national campaign, Every River Needs a Champion, to highlight the importance of individual action to restore, protect, and maintain healthy rivers and their watersheds. Being a River Champion is much is more than angling – it’s about taking sustained action to promote clean water, resilient ecosystems, and healthy communities for all. Anyone can be a River Champion through actions such as volunteering, sharing expertise, supporting conservation efforts, educating others, and advocating for policies that protect our cold water rivers and watersheds from impacts such as abandoned mines, destructive activities, invasive species, and barriers to fish passage.

The Trout Unlimited California Council has established a River Champions Recognition Program to recognize individuals in California who have made consistent and meaningful contributions in our state to Trout Unlimited’s mission to care for and recover rivers and streams. California has a critical need for River Champions due to our uniquely diverse and extensive range of watersheds, numerous environmental challenges, and the largest population of any state in the US.

Leaders of Trout Unlimited Chapters and the California Council nominate candidates for consideration by the Council. Candidates can be TU members, leaders, staff members, partners, or supporters who have consistently contributed to California’s coldwater resources through activities such as restoration work, policy advocacy, education, or leadership & service. We recognize individuals whose efforts have had significant, measurable impact over time.

We celebrate our recognized River Champions by profiling their achievements (such as in posts here) and by awarding each River Champion a unique Challenge Coin. We know that River Champions do what they do for their love of the rivers they champion; the Challenge Coin and recognition show that we see them and are grateful for their efforts.

Look for profiles of River Champions and their achievements in future posts.