I fish dirty water sometimes, and it makes my reels nasty. I get this brown stuff that dries on my reels. It accumulates around the line guide and the frame in that area, as well as the reel foot, and on the rod where the seat is. 

 

I have been removing it occasionally by using a wet rag with tweezers coupled with a weapons toothbrush to get into the tight spots.

 

Is there another way?

 

How does everyone else deal with it?

I don’t let anything accumulate. Rod, reel, landing net and boots get cleaned after every fishing session. 

Personally I would hose it off before I put it up.

1 minute ago, Jig Man said:

Personally I would hose it off before I put it up.

Ditto

A light spray at the end of the day and you’re good. 
 

Don’t hit it full blast from a garden hose either, just a light shower over the reel if it needs it and up and down the rod also. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

I wipe mine down with a damp rag (bottled drinking water on a microfiber) before putting them away. 
 

I’ve started hitting them with the rag after wiping the boat down (Lucas Marine Speed Wax), and they’ve been staying remarkably cleaner.