1. Troutnut Forum
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2. Fly Fishing
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3. got my flies wet....

Here's a question...I dropped my fly box in the river a couple weeks ago and forgot to leave it open that evening to dry out the flies. Now, I am finding rust on some of the hooks. Is there anyway to clean up the flies after this has happened? Does this have any affect on the fish (i.e., can they taste the rust) if I use these flies? I am quite disappointed in myself but I think this is one of those lessons you learn once...and only once. Any ideas would be great. Thanks.

Take memory lessons - why didn't you immediately get out of the river and get tissues to blot off the water?

That is a bummer! Try some really fine sandpaper for metal to see if you can lightly rub it off.

I didn't get off the river right away because I was quite far from my truck...plus, the fish were rising and being very active and I was mesmerized by that. I had never had hooks rust on me before and didn't even think about it. It will be a lesson learned only once.

Atleast you didn't lose your fly box!!

put a little oil on a rag and rub the rag on the hook and eyelet only!
then put all flies with any rust on them in a seperate container from your good flies. rust believe it or not will spread.

ip my fipth grade edumacation memory serves me right, i would have blotted off the flies to dry them instead of filling them with water to bloat them. give the guy a break, he's looking for advice.