There is quite a bit of synthetical out there now. I am a bit of a "traditionalist" and try to use naturals. I find it just looks better ... To me.
But honestly i dont tie too many nymphs. And if you go out to shoot a rabbit you can skin it and stuff it in the freezer for a few months and you got lots! just keep your harvested material sepporate from your bought. I lost alot of material from something i dont know what was but im sure it was from the stuff i shot.
We dont fly fish to save money !!!! we do it to spend it!