Even eighty-five years after its first publication, Swallows and Amazons casts a magical spell. Sailing, exploring, battles with bows and arrows and even drowning duffers – Ransome’s book had it all. But best of all was the fishing, and young Roger’s encounter with a monster pike. The author clearly knew his subject matter, as well he might, for Ransome was an avid angler and wrote of his endeavours in the Manchester Guardian. These essays were collated in Rod and Line, a book that graces the shelves of many an angler and is regarded by many as a classic.