Why does Randy tell Peyton he would pin a medal on her if he had one?

It is Peyton who solves the fish issue, jealous of Ben Franklin because he discovered armadillo as a new source of food; she asks Preacher why the fish are not biting, and he says that because of the heat, they must all be staying deep in the middle of the river. She thinks to use goldfish as bait, and goes out in Randy's boat and catches four huge bass.