Jake Petrasch
Property Manager
Jake Petrasch, fully named Jake John Garrit Petrasch Jr., owns and operates Valley Anglers, based in the picturesque Mad River Valley, Vermont. This fly fishing guide service offers guided fishing trips and a well-stocked inventory of fishing gear, including rods, wading gear, reels, packs, and bags. The term "angler," which is derived from the verb "angle," meaning "to fish with a hook," aptly describes the essence of his business.
He is a diverse professional with over two decades of combined experience in Education, property management, site coordination, and fly fishing. He is also an avid automotive enthusiast. His hobbies include surfing, skateboarding, biking, hunting, and fly fishing in both saltwater and freshwater environments, all of which are enjoyed alongside spending valuable time with his family.
Education
He achieved his Bachelor's degree in fine arts from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, in 2001. Continuing his educational pursuits, he obtained a Master's in Education with a focus on middle-level Education from Johnson State College in Johnson, VT, in 2007. His academic credentials were further enhanced by a semester at the National Outdoor Leadership School, where he earned college credits from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT, from September to December 1996.
Career Spotlights
Throughout his varied career, he has taken on multiple roles, including teacher, site coordinator, property manager, guide, and logistic coordinator, making him a versatile professional.
Valley Anglers LLC, Warren, VT
Driven by a passion for teaching and a love for fly fishing, he founded Valley Anglers LLC in 2005. This business combines his commitment to Education with his enthusiasm for fly fishing. As the owner and guide, he educates clients of all ages and skill levels, focusing on casting techniques, entomology, and knot tying.
Counseling Services of Addison County
In 2010, he began his teaching career at Counseling Services as an Alternative Program Head Teacher/Behavior Specialist, where he taught high school students expelled from traditional school settings, providing them with tailored lesson plans and practical learning experiences.
Harwood Union High School, Duxbury, VT
In 2012, he joined Harwood Union High School as a paraeducator, offering academic and emotional support in the Learning Resource Center and later initiating the "Call Back" academic support program.
Montpelier High School, Montpelier, VT
Starting in May 2014, he served as a site coordinator at Montpelier High School, overseeing the school's Outing Club and co-teaching a CrossFit program designed to enrich student life and learning through physical Education and personalized experiences.
Integrated Property Services LLC, Warren, VT
Since April 2018, Jake Petrasch has been the Head Landscaper/Property Manager at Integrated Property Services LLC, managing maintenance and upkeep for numerous properties in the Mad River Valley, including in-house diagnostics and grounds maintenance for around 50 properties.
Personal Life
Born on July 20, 1977, in Fort Worth, Texas, and adopted ten days later, he grew up enjoying summers in Nantucket, where he worked at the local Juice Bar and engaged in sailing and tennis at the Nantucket Yacht Club. A significant chapter of his life unfolded at St. Lawrence University, where he met his future wife during his undergraduate studies. They married in Stowe, Vermont, in 2005.
Fly Fishing
A significant component of his life, fly fishing, not only served as his profession but was also integral to his Sobriety, which began in the winter of 1999. He has extensive experience in both freshwater fly fishing in Vermont and saltwater fly fishing, having ventured to locations like Belize to chase exotic fish.
Additional Interests
In addition to fly fishing, he is passionate about surfing, often heading to Long Sands Beach in York, Maine, during hurricane season for the best waves. His interest in motorcycles, particularly Harley Davidson, provides a therapeutic escape, highlighted by a gift from his wife—a new Harley Davidson in spring 2024.
Jake Petrasch's Sobriety
His journey toward Sobriety is a profound aspect of his life, openly shared and marked by profound personal growth. This journey has been chronicled through tattoos that narrate his life story, particularly his sober path, which he navigates with dedication and an unyielding resolve to maintain his course steadfastly, embracing the mantra "Hold Fast" throughout his endeavors.