Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing or preventing damage to a strand wound at relatively high speed on a machine-rotated spool, caused by flailing of a loose end of the strand includes capture brushes arranged at intervals in proximity to the machine. The capture brushes are aligned to be approximately perpendicular to the loose end of the strand when the loose end of the strand rotates with the spool into contact with the brushes. At respective ends, the brushes have respective tips with a taper that tends to guide or deflect the loose end of the strand to a slot defined by two adjacent brushes. The brushes have bristles extending from a bristle-mounting member, which capture the loose end of the strand. The bristles can be treated with a friction enhancing substance to improve the ability of the brushes to capture and entrap the loose end of the strand. Preferably, the bristles are angled with respect to the bristle-mounting member in a direction away from a respective tapered tip.