Rust, dirt in gas tank?

Years ago @slantsixdan made a great point about using stock fuel pumps. If you're using a stock mechanical pump they do way better at pushing the gas to the carb, not pulling it from the tank. Installing a fuel filter before the pump can cause more trouble than it's worth.

He also made a great point about those clear fuel filters -- don't use 'em. Get quality metal ones such as Wix brand.

As far as the particles in your fuel filter that's normal unless you've replaced both your gas tank and fuel hard lines in recent years.