Hareline Natural Elk Hair Fly Tying Materials Review
Our verdict
Hareline's Natural Elk Hair costs just $3.95, the cheapest of four Hareline fly-tying materials compared here, and still holds a 4.5-star average across 110 reviews. For tyers who need natural elk hair for freshwater patterns like Elk Hair Caddis, this is the lowest-cost, highest-rated option in the lineup outside the 4.6-star Fishing Fibers.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Fly tyers working freshwater patterns that call for natural elk hair, such as Elk Hair Caddis or similar dry flies, and budget-conscious tyers who want a well-rated material at the lowest price point in this comparison.
Skip if
Skip it if you need a saltwater-specific material, since this is labeled for freshwater use, or if you want the largest review base available, since the NB377 carries 550 reviews against this item's 110.
- Material Natural
- Weight 0.25 Ounces
- Target Species Freshwater
- Size Large
- Color Natural
- Pieces 1
- Priced 60% below the category median ($9.99 across 67 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.5/5
4.5 average across 110 owner ratings
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Popularity0.7/5
110 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other fishing gear and tackle we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
Picture tying up a batch of Elk Hair Caddis before the summer caddis hatch, needing natural hair that stacks evenly for the classic wing and body. Hareline's Natural Elk Hair is built for exactly that use, labeled for freshwater technique and sized as a large pack of natural-colored hair weighing 0.25 ounces.
At $3.95, it is priced well below the other three Hareline materials in this comparison: the CDC28 at $7.95, the Fishing Fibers at $9.85, and the NB377 at $18.06. The size is listed as large and the material is described simply as natural, meaning this pack targets freshwater tyers who want a straightforward, unbleached elk hair rather than a dyed or synthetic substitute.
On review data, the Elk Hair holds a 4.5-star average across 110 reviews, second only to the Fishing Fibers' 4.6 stars among these four Hareline products, and ahead of both the NB377's 4.2 and the CDC28's 4.0. Its review count of 110 is the smallest sample of the group, well below the NB377's 550, so the rating is strong but built on a comparatively modest base of buyers. Combined with its $3.95 price, it stands out as the best rating-per-dollar option here.
Pros
- Cheapest of the four Hareline materials compared, at just $3.95
- 4.5-star average across 110 reviews, second-highest rating in this comparison
- Labeled specifically for freshwater technique, matching classic patterns like Elk Hair Caddis
- Sized as a large pack for tying multiple flies from one purchase
- Natural, undyed color for a straightforward material without synthetic dye
Cons
- Review count of 110 is the smallest sample among the four Hareline products compared
- Bought-last-month figure of 0+ leaves recent demand undocumented
- Rating trails the Fishing Fibers' 4.6 stars by one tenth of a point
- No saltwater-specific listing, so it is not positioned for saltwater fly patterns
Specifications
| Material | Natural |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.25 Ounces |
| Target Species | Freshwater |
| Size | Large |
| Color | Natural |
| Pieces | 1 |
Performance notes
At 0.25 ounces, this pack of natural elk hair is sized to tie a meaningful run of flies, since elk hair patterns typically use small clumps stacked and trimmed per fly. The freshwater technique label lines up with classic uses like Elk Hair Caddis, where the hollow hair fibers help the fly float. A natural, undyed color means the hair keeps its original mottled tan and brown shading, useful for tyers who want a realistic look without adding a dyeing step. Listed as a large size, the pack offers more usable hair per purchase than a compact travel-size pack would, which matters for tyers restocking before a full season rather than a single trip. At $3.95, it is priced for that kind of routine restocking rather than as a specialty, small-batch item.
What buyers say
A 4.5-star average across 110 reviews places the Elk Hair second among these four Hareline products, just behind the Fishing Fibers' 4.6 stars from 133 reviews and ahead of the NB377's 4.2 from 550 and the CDC28's 4.0 from 359. Its smaller review count relative to the NB377 suggests either a shorter time on the market or a narrower buyer base, since natural elk hair serves a more specific technique than general dubbing or synthetic fibers. The bought-last-month figure sits at 0+, not distinguishing this item from most others in the lineup except the NB377, which shows a 50+ figure. Overall the pattern points to a well-liked, if lower-volume, staple material rather than a runaway bestseller.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Hareline Natural Elk Hair used for?
It is labeled for freshwater fly tying technique, sized large and weighing 0.25 ounces in its natural, undyed color. That combination fits classic patterns such as Elk Hair Caddis, where the hollow hair fibers are stacked and trimmed to form the wing and body.
Is Hareline Natural Elk Hair cheaper than other Hareline tying materials?
Yes. At $3.95, it is the least expensive of the four Hareline fly-tying materials in this comparison, well below the CDC28's $7.95, the Fishing Fibers' $9.85, and the NB377's $18.06, while still holding a strong 4.5-star rating.
How many reviews does Hareline Natural Elk Hair have?
It has 110 reviews at a 4.5-star average, the smallest review count among the four Hareline products compared here but still enough to establish a consistent rating pattern, especially alongside its low $3.95 price.