Art Teter: The About Article
What About Art Teter? Art has been guiding Fall River in Fall River Mills, CA for almost 2.5 million years or since the end of the last ice age. Art is well known around the valley as “that guy”. Art no longer wears Wholly Mammoth hide, carrying a spear on the river, but instead brings his casual, relaxed nature, wry sense of humor, and excellent fly fishing knowledge. He really is one of a kind on the Fall River.
Why Fall River? Well, Art loves the Fall River Valley. He loves the great fishing Fall River produces. Art loves hunting ducks during the winters. He has a long history of doing, supporting, and advocating for conservation work in the greater Fall River Valley. Art works closely with The Fall River Conservancy in sustaining the health and vitality of the waters, fish, birds, and lands of the Fall River Valley. Fall River Mills attracts many anglers, golfers, hunters, para-gliders, bird watchers, and photographers yearly. No one visits Fall River just once. Art keeps the Fall River system flowing by running his boat motor while on anchor. He says “…all it takes is about 10 minutes a month and the river just keeps flowing”.
Art lives in the middle of the Fall River Valley and routinely finds time between guided fishing trips to go water his Orchids, knitting quilts, watching General Hospital, and goes out on the river scouting insect hatches and rise forms in preparation for the next day on the water with clients. Which between the last Saturday in April and November 15th, is tomorrow. There are only a couple of other guides who can touch the depth of experience Art has on Fall River. No one can deal with his knitting though.
More about Art Teter
Art is also a long-time guide on the Pit River, Hat Creek, McCloud, Upper Sacramento, and one of his wintertime favorites Baum Lake. Even the Lower Sacramento is a river he has guided thousands of times over the last century.
There isn’t a stretch of water within an hour’s drive he doesn’t know, hasn’t fished, or isn’t worth taking you fishing on at the right time when the fishing is good or when the Stone Fly’s are coming off. One day isn’t enough. Book a few days and let Art take you to a couple of destinations. You’ll come away a far better angler, your knowledge and experience will show it and the inspiration to come back is a reward in and of itself.
I would never go fish Fall River alone. I’d hire Art every time.
Fall River and Art Teter really are the “heart and soul”, the “ham and eggs, the “lightning and thunder”, “nuts and bolts”, “cops and robbers” and dare I say “peanut butter and jelly” of all N. California fly fishing.
By: Chris Parsons. One-time Fall River guide, and former friend. Glad I got to meet Art. Fun times on the river working with Art.