Apparatus (10) for deploying an elongate, filamentous embolic device (12 50) in a vascular site through a catheter (14), the embolic device (12 50) having a proximal end, the apparatus (10) comprising a flexible, elongate, hollow deployment tube (16) having an axial passage (20) and a distal end and a holding element (24) that resists radial expansion and that is fixed to the distal end of the deployment tube (16) and configured to hold the proximal end of the embolic device (12 50) by frictional engagement, the holding element (24) having a base with an opening (26) that communicates with the axial passage (20) and method of deploying an elongate, filamentous embolic device (12 50) in a vascular site.