With a floating line, I rarely use a basket (unless it's already strapped on). However, I typically use an intermediate line and find with any current it's easy to get snarled and too often I discover the line is wrapped around my leg when a fish (a) is running away from me with my fly in its lip or (b) when I see the school feeding toward me and I rushing to get me and the cast in the right spot. I like the Orvis hard plastic stipping basket- also has a nice place to rest your rod. I think SWE carries it from time to time.
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