Plugged fuel filters?

[Inpursuit]

So the last time out I came back with a new problem.
While on plane running mid throttle the motor acted like someone was pulling the throttle back and then pushing it back forward but it never died but acted like it was running out of fuel but ran fine at lower rpm's except for my rich and rough running condition.
So my gut feeling was that the filters were dirty but last fall when I had everything in the fuel system apart chasing my other problem there was not one speck of dirt in anything I took apart but I ordered a VST pump filter and the orings I would need and when I got it apart the pump filter was covered with a sticky whitish stuff as well as the pressure regulator screen.
Now I admit this last trip we were going to be using a lot of fuel so I didn't treat the fuel with marine stabil like I usually do so what i'm wondering is if this white crap was from not treating my fuel and having ethanol in the fuel?
I have the 10 micron pint sized spinon filter in line before the motor but it looks like it didn't catch as much as I thought it should.
Is there a finer micron filter that would catch that crap before it gets to the motor?

[99yam40]

Yes there is a 2 micron filter, but have heard it will plug up and restrict the flow and cause problems also.
Best thing to do is get rid of the contamination. Have tank cleaned or replaced along with lines.

Have heard of older tanks that ran leaded fuel or non ethanol type fuel built up reside in tanks and lines and now with the ethanol fuel it is coming loose and hitting the motors and filters.
Also heard of of the ethanol eating some of the tanks and leaving the residue in filters and inside the motors as the fuel is burned

[rodbolt17]

I have not only heard of it but I have seen it with my own eyes.
not real sure what it is other than nasty and will clog filters.

[Inpursuit]

What is really strange is that the VST pump filter is the only one on both motors that had anything on or in it?