“The Hard Way” is a cinematic journey on Oregon’s Deschutes River, seen through the eyes of Warm Springs Reservation fishing guide, Matt Mendes. Over the course of a year, the film captures the river’s dramatic seasonal changes and the unique ecosystem it supports. Matt, who has exclusive access to one side of the river that’s only fishable with accompaniment of a native guide, reveals a pristine, often unseen side of this iconic river.
As an angler who favors the challenging route—whether in fishing or life—Matt’s approach reflects his deep respect for nature and his cultural heritage. The film explores how the river transforms with each season, from the vibrant energy of spring, through the leaner summer months, to the changes brought by fall’s steelhead runs and the stillness of winter. It’s both an environmental narrative and a character study, spotlighting Matt’s dedication as a steward of the river and his commitment to doing things “the hard way.”
“The Hard Way” is more than a fishing film; it’s a testament to the richness of the natural world, the patience and grit of those who safeguard it, and the satisfaction found in the journey itself. For viewers, it’s an invitation to look deeper into the rivers that shape our landscapes and the people who, like Matt, are devoted to their preservation.
The Flylords: Great! To start things off, could you give me a brief overview of the film “The Hard Way?”
Beattie: Sure! This film is centered around an amazing fly-fishing guide from the Warm Springs Reservation, Matt Mendes. We wanted to capture the Deschutes River through Matt’s perspective over the course of a year. We divided it into four seasons, focusing on the section of the river that flows along the Warm Springs Reservation. Matt has access to one side of the river, which is only accessible if you have a native guide, offering a unique, pristine view of the river. The Deschutes is a dynamic, fascinating river that stretches over 250 miles, changing significantly from its source to where it meets the Columbia River. This diversity, both in species and scenery, is incredible. The Tribal section that Matt guides, which is not accessible to the general public, feels very untouched and is an ideal setting to tell the story of the river over a year.
A river like this is vast, so we narrowed our focus to a manageable segment. For anglers, it’s known that rivers are constantly changing, living systems. But for much of the general public, a river might seem static. We aimed to show the river’s evolution across seasons: the vibrancy of spring, the leaner times in the hot summer, the shift with steelhead runs in fall, and the challenges of winter. Matt’s approach as a guide is also special—he personally enjoys catching fish “the hard way.” It’s a bit of a challenge he sets for himself, echoing his passion as a bow hunter too.
The Flylords: That’s awesome. So, what was the inspiration behind “The Hard Way”?
Beattie: I’ve always wanted to capture a river’s story for over a year. People connect with rivers, but they connect even more with people, and Matt was the perfect fit. He’s incredibly thoughtful, gracious, and embodies the spirit of what we all hope to be, as an angler, and as river steward.
The Flylords: That’s really special, to see it from that perspective. What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating this film?
Beattie: Good question. The biggest challenge is the same every time we work with Mother Nature. You can plan well, but nature has its own agenda—especially when it comes to filming steelhead. Those fish are elusive and notoriously camera-shy. We joke about how hard it is to film steelhead or permit because they’re so tricky to capture. But we were fortunate to get some great footage of them!
The Flylords: Absolutely. Now, on the flip side, what was the most memorable moment during filming?
Beattie: There were so many memorable moments. Interestingly, one of the highlights wasn’t fishing-related at all. We went out with Matt and his family one morning to pick wild huckleberries in the summer. Spending time with his family—his kids, wife, and father-in-law—was incredibly special. For the fishing crowd, though, one standout was a beautiful wild steelhead Matt caught on the swing. It’s a perfect fish, and seeing these wild fish return to the river was very rewarding.
The Flylords: That sounds amazing. Why did you choose the Deschutes specifically over other rivers?
Beattie: It’s funny; we often travel to far-off places to make films, but sometimes we overlook what’s in our own backyard. The Deschutes is a phenomenal resource and a beautiful river, so it felt right to tell its story as our “home river.”
The Flylords: Having such a world-class fishery right there must be incredible. Can you tell us more about Matt as a character?
Beattie: Matt is an exceptional guide. His grandfather was the first native guide on the Warm Springs section of the river, so he has deep roots here. Matt is incredibly professional, dedicated, and focused on conservation. He doesn’t just guide—he’s out there cleaning up trash, planting willows, and taking care of the river. He leads by example, not for recognition but because he genuinely cares about the river. He’s a great role model and steward of this resource.
The Flylords: It sounds like he’s exactly what a fly-fishing guide should be: professional and committed to caring for the environment. What’s the key message you hope viewers take away from this film?
Beattie: One core message of “The Hard Way” is that it’s not always about the number of fish you catch but the satisfaction you find in the process. For example, catching a steelhead could be easier in some ways, but there’s a lot of reward in doing it the harder, more challenging way. As anglers, we often start our angling journey by focusing on numbers, but eventually, we learn that the experience itself is what truly matters. I hope the film shows that perspective.
The Flylords: I couldn’t agree more. What would someone fishing the Deschutes for the first time expect?
Beattie: The Deschutes has many faces. Up in the high country, you’ll find smaller fish, which are abundant and not too wary. In the lower river, it’s a different game. The scenery is breathtaking—a true high desert experience. The river can be both kind and challenging, offering something for everyone. I recommend newcomers connect with local guides or shops to tap into local knowledge. It makes a big difference on a river as complex as the Deschutes.
The Flylords: That’s great advice. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the film?
Beattie: Absolutely. Arian Stevens, an amazing photographer, has been shooting still photos with us all all year. I’m very excited for people to experience his photography, as he is a tremendously talented still shooter.
Thanks for your time today!
The Fly Lords: Thank you!
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