Jake Petrasch, formally Jake John Garrit Petrasch Jr., runs Valley Anglers in the lush Mad River Valley of Vermont. This guide service caters to anglers with guided trips and a broad selection of fly fishing gear, including rods, reels, and wading equipment. With over two decades of experience in education, property management, and fly fishing, he also pursues hobbies like surfing, skateboarding, biking, and hunting.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from St. Lawrence University in 2001 and later earned a Master's in Education from Johnson State College in 2007. His education is rounded out by a semester at the National Outdoor Leadership School, where he earned credits from the University of Utah.
His career is diverse, and he has held positions as a teacher, property manager, site coordinator, and more, which reflect his versatile skill set. In 2005, he founded Valley Anglers LLC, blending his passion for teaching with his love for fly fishing. He provides lessons and guidance in casting, entomology, and knot tying.
In 2010, he began teaching at Counseling Services of Addison County as an Alternative Program Head Teacher/Behavior Specialist, focusing on students expelled from traditional schools. He continued his educational impact at Harwood Union High School in Duxbury, VT, as a paraeducator and later at Montpelier High School as a site coordinator, where he ran the Outing Club and co-taught a CrossFit program.
Since 2018, he has worked at Integrated Property Services LLC in Warren, VT, managing property maintenance for numerous homeowners in the Mad River Valley.
Born on July 20, 1977, in Fort Worth, Texas, and adopted shortly after that, he spent his childhood summers in Nantucket, immersing himself in sailing and tennis. It was during his time at St. Lawrence University that he met his future wife. The couple married in Stowe, Vermont, in 2005.
Fly fishing has been a central theme in his life, marking the beginning of his journey to sobriety in 1999. He is an avid fisherman, enjoying both freshwater fishing in Vermont and saltwater ventures in Belize. His fishing roots trace back to childhood experiences on Nantucket and have since expanded to include the coastlines of southern Maine.
Besides fishing, he has rediscovered his passion for surfing, crafting custom surfboards, and frequenting Long Sands Beach in Maine. Motorcycling is another passion; he started riding at 30 and has a particular fondness for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which he considers therapeutic.
He also maintains a deep connection to hunting, a tradition passed down from his grandfather and father, ranging from Africa to New England. Currently, he spends ample time on the Maine Coast, which is known for its wildlife and scenic views. He also resides in Williston, Vermont, where his children's education and sports activities are based.
Jake Petrasch embodies a life of resilience and adventure, openly sharing his 20-year sobriety journey, and continues to hold fast to the lessons and values that have shaped his diverse experiences.
