I want to come up with a simple method of switching lines out on my 8 weight since I have only one spool.
Should I cut off and re tie the fly line to the backing each time (blood knot or Albright) or is it kosher to cut the backing and tie the backing to a short length of backing still on the fly line with a blood knot or other knot?
Thanks in advance.

I leave a tag of backing, about 6", with a loop, on the end of my fly line, then make a loop on the remaining backing on the spool. InNterchange lines via loop to loop.

May not be the right way, but it's worked well for me...

So does this mean you feed the entire length of fly line through the loop when you switch?

If you have the loop big enough, you can just pass the spool through it.

I use a big loop on my backing, and create a small loop on the end of my fly line. Although, I think Twitches idea might be a little safer if you get a big fish into your backing.

Some of the newer fly lines I notice have a loop welded on both ends.

DR,

I hope you're not trying to switch lines on your reel during a single day's fishing. That's inefficient, no matter the method. Better to make the single line a multi-purpose one. Cut a floater at 15' and add loops to both cut ends. Then make or buy sink tips in 2 or 3 sink rates and change out as needed.

For seasonal or other line changes, I whip finish a loop on the reel end of my flylines and fasten them to the backing with a clinch knot. I make the loop out of the fly line core by removing a couple inches of the plastic finish with acetone. I coat the whip finish with Pliobond to protect it from abrasion. This has worked well for 30 years or so.

Sg

Thanks, Sg.
I'm mostly switching between trips so far, but so far have been cutting backing and re tying and that's wasteful and inefficient so I'm fishing for better ways. I want to re read and think about your post, cannot quite visualize it this late at night and on the road.
I also want to have a preloaded spool to switch out, but having a simple and effective line switch method, or even 2 , is good.

PS I hit the Rogue on Thurs with 11 others, 6 boats total, for 1/2 pounders and maybe some left over summer steel.

Take care,