Rich, in the north we have been plagued by infestations of "bail flies".
While in the larval stages these emerging creatures cause a little known
condition that allows physical anomalies to manifest themselves into the
mechanical fixtures and devises of a fishing reel. Especially spinning
reels! It was/is not often that Shimano reels have been infected as they
have found an additive that has almost obliterated the ability for these
insects to procreate.
There was an entire issue of Popular Mechanics that was dedicated to
harnessing them as an answer to missile guidance espionage. Water bombers
filled with dilute were to be flown over known silos in the Ukraine during
the reactor fire. Some of the guidance devises had similar springs that
were made in Japan and theory had it theses "flies" would find their way to
their ICBM's.
Undetectable by the naked eye, at first, they revel in the lubrication
residue around bailsprings. They were first noticed in imported reels from
Japan in the late sixties. In some cases the infestations are so confined to
one reel that any place that lube is in abundance a breading ground is at
hand. An infested reel will often have maladies unexplained by science. Did
you ever see Exorcist? A "possessed" reel has to be confronted with a
similar ritualistic cleansing and if this fails only a destiny with an eight
pound sledge hammer can drive the evil spirits out. Sorry I had to be the
one to explain this to you. Quite surprised you haven't heard of this Bud!
Happy New Year all! Steve.