Minnesota Blizzard Baseball

Minnesota Baseball Academy will cast away from the diamond this summer when it opens Minnesota Fly Fishing Academy (MFFA) with home bases on Lake Superior, Lake Minnetonka and an on-the-road tour of the Mississippi River.

"We want to give players and parents the opportunity to catch fish in the summer time," MFFA lead angler Adam Barta said.  "When you get done with some hard work on the ball field, where else do you want to go?"

MFFA will offer camps, individual instruction, group outings and even showcases for expert high school fisherman who want to take their skills on the competing circuit in college.

"While we aren't sure if there are actual college scholarships for fly fishing," Barta said.  "We do know that it is important for a college resume.  How couldn't it be?"

While Barta doesn't have any fly fishing experience per say, he does know several fisherman.

"Correct.  I don't know how to fly fish.  I'm not even that good at ice fishing," Barta said.  "But I have several friends who are good fisherman and a couple know how to fly fish."

"Are they successful?", Barta asked.  "How do you determine success?  By how many fish you catch?  Your skill of casting?  Not falling in?  There are a lot of things that determine success and it would be unfair to label it in only one way.  MFFA will be offering many skills - sort of like hitting for power or bunting.  There is more than one way to cross the finish line."

Camps, lessons and showcase listings for all of Minnesota Fly Fishing Academy can be found online at: www.minnesotaflyfishingacademyisforyou.com.

Grand opening and informational meeting will be held on April 1st, 2015 at MFFA's primary academy site - Lake Superior.