The Hard Way
Exploring the Seasons on the Deschutes with The Hard Way
At Off the Grid Studios, we’re proud to unveil The Hard Way, our latest cinematic journey into the heart of Oregon’s high desert. This film celebrates the Deschutes River’s raw beauty and relentless challenges. Through the remarkable story of guide and river steward Matt Mendes, we explore the connections between this river, this landscape, and the resilient people who live here. This can be a place of hardship or a place of abundance.
The Deschutes: A Landscape of Challenge and Reward
The Deschutes River’s treacherous wading, unpredictable flows, and fickle fish demand patience, skill, and respect. Each cast is a test; every catch, a hard-earned reward. The river offers different challenges and rewards anglers in each season, from the explosive hatches of spring and summer to the methodical pursuit of steelhead.
The river ebbs and flows, grasses and flowers peak then fade, insects hatch and die, fish arrive from the sea and then depart back to it—these cycles are both ancient and fleeting.
Matt Mendes: A Generational Connection to the River
Matt Mendes anchors the story in The Hard Way. Matt’s a member of the Warm Springs Tribeand his family has lived and thrived along the Deschutes for generations. Matt’s grandfather, Al Bagley, was the first Native American fishing guide on the river, and his legacy lives on through Matt’s work. After apprenticing with his grandfather from the time he was a teenager, Matt took over the family business in 2016. “I envision myself being a steelhead guide until the day I die. I’m not going to do anything else. I’m that guy, bro. That’s it. I’m a lifer man. I love it.”
This film, however, isn’t just a story about Matt’s past and future—it’s a love letter to the Deschutes told through his eyes. Whether stalking shade lines for summer trout or swinging flies for fall steelhead, Matt exemplifies the hard-earned knowledge, skill, and humility it takes to thrive on the river.
A Global Film Experience
We’re thrilled to announce that The Hard Way will premiere as part of the 19th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) in 2025. The F3T spans over 14 countries and 300+ events, connecting audiences to stories of wild places and the people who cherish them.
The tour will include a special stop at our home town in Bend, Oregon, at the Tower Theatre on March 8, 2025, giving the local community a chance to experience the film together. After its tour, The Hard Way will be available for global audiences through a digital release, ensuring its story resonates far and wide.
