Yes, the needle end is DOWN for protection.
I delivered this to the new proud owner and he was very happy. After looking around this forum I see that entire rooms are devoted to fly tying with roll top desks used as their bench. I made this as a favor to a friend and HE is happy and that makes me happy. He has an area only so big that he willing to devote to tying and this bench is exactly that size. Fred does want another one and it may well have different dimensions and will surely want changes or use different fly tying gadgets.
See the attachment to see what I usually make - long range tackle boxes!