Leon D. Sagaloff

Leon was born April 22, 1952 in Sedalia, Missouri. At age eleven he moved to Overland Park Kansas. Although fly-fishing, hunting, and camping were not common interests in the suburbs, Leon was determined to learn. He graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School in 1970, and from the University of Kansas in 1974. He majored in journalism and minored in history. Both areas remained passions of Leon's throughout his life. He loved to read and shared his love for literature and history generously with friends. Throughout his education he made as much time to be outdoors as was possible.

Five days after graduating from college, he moved to Boulder, Colorado and worked to become an expert fly fisherman. Leon claimed working in fly shops and gun shops was his graduate school. By 1976 he and his wife, Linda opened Stream Designs where they created fishing vests and the first gore-tex rain gear for fishermen. Leon was very proud of his highly practical creation and was thrilled when the vests were offered in LL Bean and other outdoor gear catalogs. He stated, "Almost all of the fly-fishing heavy hitters wore them." Montana called to this outdoorsman as it has to many. He and Linda moved to Gallatin Gateway in 1981. They welcomed their only child, Benjamin in 1984. Leon was proud to be a father and step-father, though he would readily admit to not being a perfect parent.

As a fishing guide, Leon worked for the likes of Bud Lilly and George Anderson, most often in the early days on the Big Horn River. After divorce, he lived for a time in Missoula where he guided in the summer and worked on and sold guns in the winter. 1998 brought Leon to Dillon for what he claimed were "the best years of my life". Leon loved fishing the Big Hole and the Beaverhead rivers and guiding on them was a highlight of many of his stories. He made great friends, taught many people to fish, and a helped others to become fishing guides. He enjoyed working at the Frontier Anglers shop in the winters, but it was the guiding season that held his heart.

As he aged, he shifted his focus to working on and trading guns. A great day for Leon was one where he got to go to the river or the range. He shared generously his love for all things outdoors. Leon was honored and grateful to have his son, Ben and grandson Gary living in Dillon. He had some of the most kind and generous friends any man could hope for. Leon was grateful for the support and help of Honey Bee Hospice in his last months.

A celebration of Leon's life will be held in conjunction with the Trout Unlimited Pint Night at the Beaverhead Brewery on April 11, 2025 beginning at 5:30. A hope Leon shared often in the last years was to be remembered for his passions. Please join friends and family for this celebration of Leon's life.

Leon's ashes will be returned to the earth at sacred fishing spots later this spring.