Synthetic hair and rust

Has anyone else noticed how stainless hook flies tied with synthetic hair (Ultrahair, Congo Hair, Super Hair, etc) tend to rust? Even if they've never been wetted, sitting in a fly box in a humid garage the s/s hook eyes and shanks will take on a rusty coating, and the hair will discolor. Even saltwater doesn't do this to them using real bucktail. Is this some sort of chemical or galvanic reaction? I kind of like tying with synthetics, but it's just not worth it if my flies are going to rust before I use them.

I find this hard to believe and never seen this on my flies with Stainless hooks. It has to be humidity problem.

I don't seem to have any problems with my salt water flies. But I have all my salt water flies in a waterproof box and our humidity isn't a problem here.

Beaver

I'll take some pictures next chance I get. I have brand new Ultra Hair Clousers sitting next to bucktail Clousers in the same box, and the UHC's are rusty after one summer, the BTC's are fine. Maybe it's a combination of the synthetic hair and the CC foam I used to line the box? Something's sure going on.

Do you take the time to wash them down with water after they been used in the saltwater? That could be a possibilty.

Yes, I always do.
But as I said, these are brand new, never wetted flies.

I have lots of ultra hair clousers (and other flies) tied on several different manufacturers stainless hooks. Some have been around for more than 5 years and I have never noticed that problem. (They have been kept just south of you in Venice). I do keep them in Flambeau boxes that have Zerust. Maybe that stuff really works.....

http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...D=GSHOP_400713

Stainless steel does not mean that it is impervious to rust. Stainless steel if exposed to moisture can develop surface oxidisation, but generally speaking this will not affect the integrity of the hook. Also there are different grades of stainless steel too, so perhaps the hook batch could be faulty or of an inferior quality. You mention high humidity as a contributing factor, and that sounds plausible. With all my reels be they spin, or fly reels, I have always maintained them by spraying them with a light coating of a product called Lanox or Inox, to prevent corrosion to the surface of my reels after every use in salt water. Perhaps applying a product like this and spraying on a rag then wiping your hooks onto the moistened rags will provide a protective coat over the hooks.

What hooks are you using?

Never had a problem with Gamakatsu SC15s rusting. All mine sit in those cheap Plano compartment boxes. I do have Z rust "tablets" in each box, but those are over 4 years old now.

Maybe sitting in the garage is the cause of your problem. If it's in Florida, surface rust is a problem down here. Take a look at the rotors of cars that have been sitting for a period of time...