Location Williston, Vermont, United States Regions New England, Northeastern US Gender Male
Website jakepetrasch.com/
Jake Petrasch, officially Jake John Garrit Petrasch Jr., owns Valley Anglers in Vermont's Mad River Valley. His business offers guided fly fishing trips and a broad assortment of gear, including rods, reels, and wading equipment. With over two decades of combined experience in education, property management, and fly fishing, he also enjoys
surfing, skateboarding, biking, and hunting.
He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from St. Lawrence University in 2001 and completed his Master's in Education at Johnson State College in 2007. Additionally, he studied at the National Outdoor Leadership School and earned credits from the University of Utah.
His professional path has been diverse, with roles in teaching, property management, and site coordination. In 2005, he launched Valley Anglers LLC, blending his teaching passion with his love for fly fishing. As a guide and owner, he teaches clients of all ages about the sport, including casting and entomology.
In 2010, he began as an Alternative Program Head Teacher/Behavior Specialist at Counseling Services of Addison County, focusing on expelled high school students. He later joined Harwood Union High School as a paraeducator and started the Call Back academic support program. In 2014, he became a site coordinator at Montpelier High School, overseeing the Outing Club and co-teaching a CrossFit program. Since 2018, he has been a Head Landscaper/Property Manager at Integrated Property Services LLC, managing numerous properties in the area.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1977 and adopted soon after, he spent his childhood summers in Nantucket, where he first worked at a local juice bar. It was during his studies at St. Lawrence University that he met his future wife, marrying her in Stowe, Vermont, in 2005.
Fly fishing has played a significant role in his life, notably beginning his sobriety journey in 1999. He enjoys both freshwater and saltwater fly fishing, having fished extensively in Vermont and Belize. Besides fishing, he revived his interest in surfing later in life, crafting surfboards, and frequently surfing in Maine.
He discovered motorcycles at 30, receiving his first dirtbike from his wife and later a Harley Davidson. His deep-rooted love for motorcycling spans over two decades, and he considers it therapeutic.
Hunting has also been a lifelong passion, influenced by his family's tradition. He values the connection that nature hunting affords and utilizes various methods to make the most of Vermont's hunting seasons.
He has a profound connection with the Maine Coast and Nantucket, appreciating their natural beauty and historical significance. Recently, he moved to Williston, Vermont, for better educational opportunities for his children.
Jake Petrasch is open about his 20 years of sobriety, viewing the challenges and learning it brought as crucial to his personal development. He continues to share his journey, maintaining his commitment to "Hold Fast" to the principles that have shaped his life.
