Hi Norm,

What I, and most people that I know do in a situation like yours is to attach an "L" shaped extension to the needle valve.
The extension shoud just stick out of the cowl, and by virtue of it's shape, you can easily tell how many turns you've made on the needle.

This extension can be made from excess push rod wire, and attaches to the top of the needle by means of the embedded set screw in the side of the needle.

I do not have any pictures on hand, but I am sure someone here would.

Good Luck