From Off the Grid:
The Hard Way, the latest project from Off the Grid Studios, is not just a fishing film—it’s a deeply personal story of resilience, connection, and gratitude told by a reluctant protagonist. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Oregon’s Deschutes River, the film will debut as part of the 2025 Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), an international celebration of storytelling and outdoor adventure.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker RA Beattie, filmed by Beattie and Arian Stevens, written by Miles Nolte, and produced by Tim Harden, Beattie, and Nolte, The Hard Way is a visual and emotional journey that invites viewers to bask in the rhythms of a river and the life it sustains. Narrated by Matt Mendes, a Warm Springs guide, tribal member, and passionate steelhead angler, film explores work hard, patient craft, redemption, and fly fishing.
A Story of Learning the Hard Way
In a world dominated by instant gratification, The Hard Way celebrates a slower, more methodical approach to fishing, filmmaking, and living. Through the lens of Matt Mendes, whose family has lived and worked along the Deschutes River for generations, the film chronicles the challenges of guiding and fishing alongside the cultural and personal heritage of this iconic landscape.
Mendes’ story is one of dedication, struggle, and contrast—balancing his grandfather’s legacy as the first Native American guide on the river with the demands of carving his own path in a modern age. The film, opening with narration by Chief Jefferson Greene in the native Warm Springs language of Ichishkiin, takes audiences on a journey through the seasons—a visual love letter to the river and a meditation on the lessons it teaches.
Slowing Down to See the Beauty
For the filmmakers, The Hard Way was an opportunity to embrace a slower, more deliberate style of storytelling. “In an age when our lives and our media move so fast, we wanted this film to breathe,” said director RA Beattie. “We wanted to invite audiences to fully see the river, to notice the details, and to reflect on why so many of us are drawn to fly fishing and the outdoors in the first place.”
With its stunning cinematography and nuanced narrative, the film challenges viewers to pay attention, immerse themselves in the story, and pick up on its cues—much like the practice of fly fishing itself.
A Global Premiere and Local Celebration
The Hard Way will be featured in the 19th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), which spans over 14 countries and more than 300 screenings worldwide in 2025. One of the tour’s highlights will be a special showing in Bend, Oregon, at the Tower Theatre on March 8, 2025, offering local audiences a chance to experience this powerful story together.
After the film’s international run, it will be available digitally, ensuring that its message of connection, hard work, and respect for wild places reaches a global audience.
Join the conversation.
Private screening link available by request. Podcast / Interviews available by request. See why The Hard Way is redefining outdoor filmmaking and leaving audiences questioning what makes a truly great fishing story. Don’t miss your chance to witness this unforgettable film.
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About Off the Grid Studios
Based in Bend, Oregon, Off the Grid Studios is dedicated to crafting authentic, emotionally resonant stories that explore the connections between people, nature, and shared passions. Directed by RA Beattie, the studio is renowned for its stunning visuals and thoughtful storytelling, pushing the boundaries of outdoor media.
Directed by: RA Beattie
Written by: Miles Nolte
Produced by: Tim Harden, RA Beattie, and Miles Nolte
For more information, media inquiries, or to schedule interviews, please contact Off the Grid Studios at [email protected] or visit offthegridstudios.com.
