I would not recommend "ever" removing a butterfly off of a shaft as they are very difficult to set back properly, especially the throttle butterfly as they must be properly set. The "setting" is a big part of the idle metering at the idle ports and is very touchy. The choke butterfly is not as touchy as the throttle butterfly but is still a PIA even with well practiced hands
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Try to get it clean and moving freely first. Only as a last resort would I remove a choke butterfly.
Do poke the idle ports out with a small wire and use lots of compressed air. Also remove all jets and again use lots of air since there was water encroachment within the carb.
Another thing is be sure the float is set AND when set the float should be parallel with the carb body. I like the way these carbs work with a slightly "lower float level" than stock.
Dave Neptune
