yeah, its a fungus that usually attacks in the early stages of growth. we had it big time on several of our clematis plants three years ago. must have been something in the air...? they all bloom on new growth so we cut them all down to the ground. they put on new growth that same year but nothing to write home about. but three years later they are blooming like gangbusters. to my knowledge it wont harm the plant itself, but it will do damage to existing leaves and stems.
