As a qualified amatuer at binding runners on, I have always had trouble keeping the "end bit" of the binding nylon in position, always seems to get tangled, comes loose or won't stay in place.
I now put a tiny dab of super glue on the rod where I want to start binding from and then bind over it for about ten mls - nip of the left over bit - and continue doing the entire runner and then repeat the same process at the other end.
This gets a murderous grip and I have also taken to using some good quality fibre glass paint (International) and simply painting along the nylon binding if I want a different colour.
OK, the purists have every right to sledge this technique but it is simplicity itself and the one rod I did about six months ago is as good as the day I did it!
The paint idea is also good for those like me who can never get the binding to stack up against itself nicely - I seem to get gaps between the twine here and there!