I am trying to learn to catch bass on my fly rod. I am using a medium size Clauser most of the time, but have some poppers too.

I was curious about recommended retrieval techniques? Should I strip to retrieve? How fast or slow and smooth or with jerking motion?

i generally use short jerks for poppers, sometimes faster sometimes slower, I vary the rythmn untill I catch a fish then try to replicate that retrieve...for subsurface I usually give it plenty of time to sink & then use the same basic retrieve (not quite as briskly)...in both case the best time to get bit is when the fly /bug lands on the water...experiment and see what works for you...something will

My 2� is that speed, cadence, rhythm, those things will vary from day to day and place to place, or at least they can. Some days or some places they want it FAST, other days or places slow. You just have to keep working to see what they like.

More important is to be sure that your rod tip is low, even in the water, with as little angle in the line as possible. Always ready to strip strike.

I start out with 6" jerk strips for poppers and 1' slow strips on wet flies and adjust accordingly.